The Last Gangster
The Last Gangster | |
---|---|
![]() 1937 theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Edward Ludwig |
Written by | John Lee Mahin |
Story by | William A. Wellman Robert Carson |
Produced by | Lou L. Ostrow |
Starring | Edward G. Robinson James Stewart Rose Stradner |
Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
Edited by | Ben Lewis |
Music by | Edward Ward |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Loew's Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Last Gangster(also calledAnother Public Enemy) is a 1937 Americancrime drama filmdirected byEdward Ludwigand starringEdward G. RobinsonandJames Stewart.[1][2]The supporting cast featuresRose Stradner,Lionel StanderandJohn Carradine.
Plot
[edit]DuringProhibition,gangland kingpin Joe Krozac returns from Europe with a new wife, Talya, who is unaware of his criminal background. The Kile brothers have muscled in on his territory in his absence, so he orders their assassinations. Three are killed, but "Acey" Kile survives. Soon after, Talya becomes pregnant, much to Krozac's delight.
Krozac is sent toAlcatraz Federal Penitentiaryfor ten years for income tax evasion before their son is born. After Talya visits her husband with their child, reporter Paul North plays a dirty trick on her, putting a gun in the baby's hands for a photograph. When Talya goes to his newspaper to plead to be left alone, his editor refuses to do so, but Paul is so ashamed of himself, he quits his job and strikes up a relationship with Talya. She gets a divorce and marries Paul. They move away and change their names to start a new life.
When Krozac is released from prison, he is determined to take his son, now named Paul Jr., and punish his former wife. However, his old assistant, Curly, persuades him to take charge of his old gang first. It turns out to be a trap. Curly and the others only want to learn where Krozac hid his money before going to jail. When Krozac resists their torture, the gang kidnaps his son to apply pressure. Krozac gives in. The gang drives off with the loot (only to be killed by the police), leaving Krozac and his son on foot.
He is unable to convince the boy that he is his father, but they get along all right on the journey home. After the boy is reunited with his parents, Krozac has a change of heart and leaves without his son. However, Acey Kile is waiting for him. Acey taunts Krozac at gunpoint, saying he is going to tell the newspapers who the boy's father really is after he guns down Krozac. To stop that, Krozac rushes him and manages to kill Acey before dying.
Cast
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Last_Gangster_lobby_card.jpg/170px-Last_Gangster_lobby_card.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Last_Gangster_lobby_card_2.jpg/170px-Last_Gangster_lobby_card_2.jpg)
- Edward G. Robinsonas Joe Krozac
- James Stewartas Paul North
- Rose Stradneras Talya Krozac
- Lionel Standeras "Curly"
- Douglas Scott as Paul North Jr./Joe Krozac Jr.
- John Carradineas Caspar, an inmate who tries to bully Krozac
- Sidney Blackmeras San Francisco editor
- Grant Mitchellas Warden
- Edward Brophyas "Fats" Garvey, a prisoner who supports Krozac
- Alan Baxteras Frankie "Acey" Kile
- Frank Conroyas Sid Gorman
- Louise Beaversas Gloria, Talya's servant
Production
[edit]Despite the presence of Robinson and young Stewart, the picture fared poorly at the box office.
A protege of European directorMax Reinhardt,Rose Stradner subsequently married writer/directorJoseph L. Mankiewiczin 1939 and committed suicide in 1958 at age 45.
Reception
[edit]Time Out Film Guidenoted that Edward G. Robinson was his typically edgy character and that James Stewart looked much younger than his (then) 29 years, remarking that the film was "an absorbing exercise in contrasting styles".[3]
References
[edit]- ^"Last Gangster, The - 1937 - Edward G. Robinson, James Stewart, Rose Stradner, Lionel Stander".learmedia.ca.Lear Media.Retrieved2009-04-28.
- ^"Last Gangster, The (1937) - full review!".classicfilmguide.Classic Film Guide.Retrieved2009-04-28.
- ^"The Last Gangster movie review".timeout.Time Out London.Retrieved2009-04-28.
- Beck, Robert (2002).The Edward G. Robinson encyclopedia(illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 416.ISBN9780786412303.
- Thomas, Tony (1997).A Wonderful Life: The Films and Career of James Stewart(illustrated ed.). Citadel Press. p. 49.ISBN9780806519531.
- Weaver, Tom; Mank, Gregory W. (1999).John Carradine: the Films(illustrated ed.). McFarland. p. 396.ISBN9780786406074.
- Parish, James Robert; Don E. Stanke; Michael R. Pitts; T. Allan Taylor (1977).The all-Americans.Arlington House. p. 448.ISBN9780870003639.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)