Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

James Cagney is a Hollywood Icon. From starring in dramas and gangster pictures to comedies and being a song and dance man. Earlier this year Warner Archive released an early James Cagney film on Blu-ray Each Dawn I Die.

But just one Cagney Blu-ray in a year is just not enough. So Warner Archive released a classic Cagney film on Blu-ray filled with bonus features. In 1938 Cagney was joined by Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart in Angels with Dirty Faces.

Rocky Sullivan (Cagney) and Jerry Connolly (O'Brien) grew up in one New York's toughest neighborhoods, Hell's Kitchen. The two take complete different paths in life. Rocky gets caught up in a life of crime, while Jerry decides to become a priest. After a stretch in prison Rocky is released and returns to Hell's Kitchen, where Jerry works with at-risk children. Rocky needs a safe haven with his old friend before resuming his life of crime, but Jerry is not sure this is best for the kids, as they look up to the gangster.
 
James Cagney starred in many 'gangster' films over his career and some people will have different thoughts, but I feel that this is probably his greatest 'gangster' role. It is a dramatic roller coaster ride, right up to the heartbreaking end. It also doesn't hurt that James Cagney is joined on screen by fellow legends Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart, and also The Dead End Kids.

Now I grew up on the movies of The Bowery Boy also known as The East Side Kids or The Dead End Kids. They were known as a gang of boy from the mean streets that would find themselves in hot water and would have to find their way out. With them in this film it makes this film just that much better for me.

Angels with Dirty Faces debuts on Blu-ray thanks to Warner Archive in 1080p from a 4K scan of the Original Nitrate Camera Negative. The audio is a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track. There is also an optional English subtitles. This new transfer is unbelievably gorgeous. There is not signs of damage to this print whatsoever. It truly must be seen to be believed.  

Now Warner Archive really went above and beyond for this 83rd anniversary of this release. They added some amazing bonuses. Take a look at what is included.


* Audio Commentary: Film Historian Dana Polan shares so much information about not only this classic, but the gangster genre as well.

* Warner Night At The Movies 1938 (Selected shorts)
    - Introduction by Leonard Maltin: In this intro the film critic talks the history of the film and the following extras.
    - Boy Meets Girl Theatrical Trailer: This trailer is of the comedy starring Cagney and O’Brien.    
    - Newsreel: A short news report about at a peace pact being signed in Munich.
    - Musical Short – Out Where The Stars Begin: A near 20 minute Broadway short that spoofs the Hollywood.
    - Porky & Daffy: An eight-minute Looney Tunes short in HD in which Daffy is in the boxing ring.

* Angels With Dirty Faces – Whaddya Hear? Whaddya Say?: A 22-minute featurette where film historians discuss gangster films during the 1930s

* Lux Radio Theater Broadcast (5/22/1939): A 59-minute condensed audio version of Ange;s with Dirty Faces with James Cagney and Pat O’Brien reprising their roles.

* Theatrical Trailer: The nearly three-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.

The beautifully restored version of Angels With Dirty Faces along with the tons of bonus features makes for one of the best Warner Archive releases to date. I couldn't be happier with this release. Classic film and physical media fanatics are going to want to add this to there collections, no doubt about it.

If you love James Cagney as much as I do I can not recommend this Blu-ray enough. It truly is a remarkable, stunning and glorious Blu-ray. You can head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today. You will not be disappointed with this release.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of Angels With Dirty Faces receives...