classic movies
The three classic gangster movies: Little Caesar (LeRoy, 1930), Public Enemy (Wellman, 1931), and Scarface (Hawks, 1932) usually took place at night in speakeasies, night clubs, elaborate apartments of the gangsters, and back rooms during the time of prohibition. Prohibition is believed to be the lead cause of the development of gangsters throughout the United States and the beginning of inter gang conflict involving territory among enemies. Each classic was said to have been based on a real life gangster of the 1930's and characters were created to depict the life of crime on the streets drawn from actual newspaper headlines. Actors such as Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney were cast to portray the life of infamous gang leaders Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, and Hymie Weiss. It has been stated that their screen portrayals bore little resemblance to the actual criminal. In fact, many critics have argued that just the reverse is true, that "real" criminals tended to adjust th!eir dress and demeanor so that they might resemble their depiction in the movies. (Shatz 84) Two of the three most popular films begin and end in the same manner. Little Caesar opens with an off screen robbery and murder of a gas station attendant by a
The introduction of sound effects and dialogue in films made the gangster movies seem more violent with the use of explosive sound effects when a bomb was thrown through a window, shattering glass everywhere. Screams could be heard by innocent people throughout the streets as cars drove by and carelessly gunned down opposing gangsters who were on their way to meet a loved one or simply enjoying themselves with friends. The sound of screeching tires informed the viewers that a chase was in pursuit and that someone or something was going to be killed, injured, or destroyed. During a chase at least one of the cars involved crashed into a building or another car leaving a loud bang as evidence that something bad has occurred. Whether on or off screen, the use of sound signified an act of violence, anything from a slap in the face to a brutal murder. http://www.san.beck.org/NM/1931/PublicEnemy.html The most memorable quotes in film history comes from Rico's dying epithet-"Mother of Mercy, is this the end of Rico?"- when Rico was gunned down by police after a long battle against crime. Other acts of violence include Guarino slugging Tony in the barber shop where he went to arrest him for the murder of "Big Louis Costillo. Tony instigated the punch by striking a match on the officers badge. Police officers are usually involved in the end scene when the bad guy is surrounded by officers in his own apartment or cornered in a dark alley, and a battle erupts leaving many dead and injured. Conflict among robbers and robbers most often involves violence which eventually leads to murder. Intra gang struggle involving leadership is the most evident and common among the gangsters. Rico and Joe Montana read an artic
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1165
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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