Smart Money

Smart Money (1931)

Runtime: 81 minutes

Directed by: Alfred E. Green

Starring: Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, Evalyn Knapp, Ralf Harolde, Noel Francis

From: Warner Brothers

My apologies for this going up so late. Things happened...

I went real old-school here via Warner Archive Instant. I saw this pretty late last night and I enjoyed it. Here's my Letterboxd review and note that I'll return Saturday afternoon.

Last night I returned to Warner Archive Instant and this time I went way back to 1931 and from that year was this film, most notable as the only time that Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney appeared in the same film together, although Cagney is a co-star and the real focus is on Robinson.

The tale is simple: Edward G. and James are brothers, and both work together in a barber shop. Robinson is a master gambler in the small town they live in and he is encouraged to go to “the city” to really earn a lot of cash. He experiences a variety of problems but eventually does hit the big time. But like Hitchcock he has an obvious thing for blondes (which tend to look a lot alike) and will that be his downfall?

The movie isn't complex yet it is still quite enjoyable, due to how the story has various twists & turns and there is a poignant ending. Robinson shows off his star power and makes it clear why he was popular at the time, but Cagney also holds his own playing-shock of shocks-a tough guy whenever he's able to be on screen, and the chemistry is nice between the two leads. The rest of the cast performs admirably and not only is it the first film for prolific actor of the time Charles Lane but before he became famous as Frankenstein's monster, Boris Karloff has a bit part.

Also, whether or not that's the intention the film serves as a nice reminder some of the dangers of gambling but not in an overdramatic fashion. The film's a light and easy watch with two famous faces doing well.