Blonde Crazy (1931) :
Brief Review -
A fundamental pre-code con-drama with lots of double-crossing tricks, robbed by boring romance. Lots of genres, sub-genres, themes, and ideas were invented in the first decade of the talkie era, i.e. 1930-1039. Blonde Crazy was one of them, setting off the fundamental con-drama for Hollywood, but the film is put slightly down by misplaced romance. It starts off on a funny note and makes you feel relaxed with enchanting one-liners and enjoyable con tricks, so you start expecting too much before the second half begins. Then it goes in that moral zone just to remind you that even a dough-lover can have a heart while the girl is already confused about this dirty business. It surprises you with many twists in those 78 minutes, but I feel that the climax wasn't really up to the mark. The other big letdown was the inconsistency of the lead characters. Bert, who looks damn smart in business, suddenly starts behaving like a kid. Anne, on the other side, is too kind and humble to be tricked by anyone. I don't see how those loops could be filled, even if I try to overlook them as the film was made in the early days of the talkie era. The film shows the adventures of an egoistic con man and his glamorous accomplice, and how they trick people and also get tricked by others. James Cagney is a pure treat to watch here. I don't know how to praise this guy more after I've done the same in many of my reviews. I have used all the adjectives, I have used almost all the words for him, so now I have nothing to say. This man could do anything. He was flawless in every role, be it gangster, funny guy, hoodlum, light-hearted fella, intelligent worm, trickster, roaster and every single character you know. Joan Blondell keeps slapping him, and it looks so cute, just like Joan's cute face. Calhern, Francis and Milland's roles are short but sweet. Roy Del Ruth packs a solid entertainer, but misses a potential classic with his scattered and loose ending.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A fundamental pre-code con-drama with lots of double-crossing tricks, robbed by boring romance. Lots of genres, sub-genres, themes, and ideas were invented in the first decade of the talkie era, i.e. 1930-1039. Blonde Crazy was one of them, setting off the fundamental con-drama for Hollywood, but the film is put slightly down by misplaced romance. It starts off on a funny note and makes you feel relaxed with enchanting one-liners and enjoyable con tricks, so you start expecting too much before the second half begins. Then it goes in that moral zone just to remind you that even a dough-lover can have a heart while the girl is already confused about this dirty business. It surprises you with many twists in those 78 minutes, but I feel that the climax wasn't really up to the mark. The other big letdown was the inconsistency of the lead characters. Bert, who looks damn smart in business, suddenly starts behaving like a kid. Anne, on the other side, is too kind and humble to be tricked by anyone. I don't see how those loops could be filled, even if I try to overlook them as the film was made in the early days of the talkie era. The film shows the adventures of an egoistic con man and his glamorous accomplice, and how they trick people and also get tricked by others. James Cagney is a pure treat to watch here. I don't know how to praise this guy more after I've done the same in many of my reviews. I have used all the adjectives, I have used almost all the words for him, so now I have nothing to say. This man could do anything. He was flawless in every role, be it gangster, funny guy, hoodlum, light-hearted fella, intelligent worm, trickster, roaster and every single character you know. Joan Blondell keeps slapping him, and it looks so cute, just like Joan's cute face. Calhern, Francis and Milland's roles are short but sweet. Roy Del Ruth packs a solid entertainer, but misses a potential classic with his scattered and loose ending.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest.