The Roaring Twenties (1939)

Superb 1939 film with Gladys George, terrific in a role that was meant for her. A tough broad whose time has past, but with an endearing heart.With Cagney and Bogart at the helm, what could possibly go wrong. Caught up with the after World War 1 inability to find work, both fall into bootlegging during prohibition and become quite good at it. Cagney, in a change of pace, plays a much more sympathetic person, whereas Bogart is as bad as they come and finally resorts to murder to get what he wants.What makes the film so good is that ruined after prohibition was repealed, Cagney realizes that his time has passed him.Priscilla Lane plays the young girl he loved. Though her voice was not the best as she belted out old favorites, she conveyed the innocent young girl caught up in a difficult time, falling for the mob lawyer, a rather benign Jeffrey Lynn here.Gladys George would definitely steal the film with her wisecracking, tough by lovable character.

THE ROARING TWENTIES certainly not a classic gangster movie of the thirties of the last century. This fact can be confirmed by the title of the film and the dose of nostalgia that is present in the story. All dramatic changes are presented from the perspective of several protagonists. The story is the rise and fall of organized crime. Changes to the system of values and standards of living of certain groups of society.It was recorded at the end of the decade, when many movie-watchers have already begun to fade memories of the world disappeared with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange and which is a representation of a carefree, flamboyant life that many of them were enjoying looked fantastic.The Roaring Twenties are not fascinating movie, but the movie is important from a cultural, economic and political context. Acting is not bad. Some actors, like Cagney, were very good. It is interesting to watch Bogart in the role of villain. Gladys Gorge excellently did her and her character is a kind of indication of how the changes affect the system on women in the criminal underworld. Lane and Lynn are the characters of the new system. They are positive and very boring.Deserves a special combination of fiction and documentary footage which the narrator comments on the most important historical events - actions that would later become standard in many similar movies.

First off, as I was watching this I kept being reminded of BOARDWALK EMPIRE, what with the characters involved in action in the First World War and then returning home to set up a bootlegging outfit during the Prohibition; I'm sure Nucky Thompson even gets a mention at one point. After the set-up, this turns into the James Cagney show once more, with the PUBLIC ENEMY actor putting in a compelling performance as a master criminal whose live revolves around him attempting to juggle romance, business, and his rivals.THE ROARING TWENTIES benefits from an assured supporting role from a youthful Humphrey Bogart and some wonderfully staged scenes, particularly at the impressive climax which must have been akin to watching the climax of De Palma's SCARFACE for audiences of the day. Cagney's performance carefully brings all the quirks and flaws out of his character, and without him this wouldn't have been half as good.

Returning from WWI, the soldiers found that jobs were scarce. Prohibition was in full bloom. Having nowhere to turn, Eddie (James Cagney) joins with his old buddy Danny (Frank McHugh) in the only work available - bootlegging.After doing all he can with cheap booze, Eddie runs into George (Humphrey Bogart) and starts getting the good stuff.John Deering narrated the film, giving the history of the period as the story progressed. It really gave context to what was happening.Eddie was mad about a young singer played by Priscilla Lane of the Lane sisters. This caused problems as she was in love with another friend, Lloyd (Jeffrey Lynn). The crash of 29 and the end of prohibition changed everything and those on top of the world soon found the bottom.