Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 1 (The Public Enemy / White Heat / Angels with Dirty Faces / Little Caesar / The Petrified Forest / The Roaring Twenties)

The quality of the discs is excellent!

I havent finished all these yet, but I have to say watching these "gangster" movies is thrilling. The acting, the personalities, the action is just tremendous. My wife wont watch any movie that is black and white especially something from the 30s- well she and many other people I bet are really missing out. I started from oldest to newest, so Little Cesar was up first, at only a little more than an hour its amazing how much story and action is packed into this classic. Edward G Robinson looks and acts just like I would imagine Al Capone. In fact, I would think they are the same person. Amazing. Only to be outdone by the Public Enemy's James Cagney. I remember as a kid we would imitate Cagney and Bogart and Jimmy Stewart, these actors had unmistakable personalities, they had signature traits and sayings. I remember reading about the grapefruit scene from a book, so i started watching and waiting for the grapefruit. Well, this movie is not about that scene, it is much more and Cagney shines throughout like a true moviestar. Petrified Forest was completely unknown to me and really took me by surprise. It was like a great short story novel, with eloquent monologues and witty dialogues and just tremendous ensemble acting. I have to say I never thought of Betty Davis as sexy but she sure is in this one. I also am still trying to figure out Bogart the way he was silent and moved stiffly and held his hands like they were burnt or injured, very memorable. But most memorable is Leslie Howard his character is like a great tragic figure from classical literature. Then we move onto Angels with Dirty Faces, possibly the best of all of them. I mean you have Cagney, O'Brien, the Dead End Kids, and Bogart for god's sake, not to mention Ann Sheridan. I thought I must truly be getting old, because I was crying at the end, crying at the end of a gangster movie! This one has all the elements- the gritty urban center, the cops, the robbers, a love story, a kid story. I do remember watching this a kid and it was memorable as a kid's movie. I didnt realize though until the final scene between Cagney and O'Brien that this is movie making at its best. The acting in the final 10 minutes, the atmosphere, the plot twist, its just overwhelmingly good. So, I'll move onto the last 2- the Roaring 20s which I've never seen and White Heat which I've seen many times, but look forward to seeing it again. Why? James Cagney of course- a movie star, a great actor, a tough guy, a cool guy, simply the best.

It doesn't get much better than this. Settle down with some popcorn, snuggle into your most comfy chair and get ready for hours of entertainment. The transfers of these DVD's are exceptional, especially on The Roaring Twenties and Angels with Dirty Faces. The quality of the other films is slightly less impressive, but still quite acceptable. Remember we're dealing with 75 year old films in the case of Little Caesar and Public Enemy. The audio transfers are also quite good. The heart of the set is the magnificent 1949 classic, White Heat. This is my favorite gangster movie because of the psycopathic character, Cody Jarret. What a portrayal! Never in movie history has their such a intricately neurotic, mommy-obsessed, gun-toting murderer as Cody. Nobody else but Cagney could have pulled off this performance, which hasn't lost a beat in the intervening 55 years. The interplay between Cody and his mother is the stuff of legend. There isn't one unnecessary or boring moment in White Heat, it is magnificent. One great thing about this release is that a new generation can grow to love and appreciate the talent of James Cagney. He dominates these films and he's as fresh and lovable as he was back in the 30's. His screen presence jumps out at you and even when he plays a thug, ya gotta love him. His charisma is palpable. The weak movie here (and one which doesn't quite fit), is Petrified Forest, with Bogie's breakout performance. I would have preferred a George Raft movie in its place. Bogart's performances in the Cagney films is always as a cringing second banana and it's interesting to watch how Jimmy utterly dominates their screen pairing. They made three movies together and it's no surprise that Cagney guns down Bogie in every one! Little Caesar now seems dated and the supporting cast is generally forgettable, especially the insipid Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Edward G. Robinson is fabulous, as he always was, but the movie suffers the malady of most early talkers: overacting or over direction. The extras on this DVD set are exceptional, especially the "Warner Bros. at the Movies." These contain a newsreel, a short, a cartoon and finally, the feature film itself. It allows the viewer to vicariously live through the 1930's. A real pleasure! My highest recommendation.

This great 1936 film noir, directed by Archie Mayo, is adapted from the excellent 1935 play by Robert Emmet Sherwood; The Petrified Forest . The plot of this film, although filled with action and romance, is very typical of the pessimistic world view of the intellectuals of the 1930s. Failed and disillusioned writer Alan Squier (Leslie Howard), wandering in the Arizona desert, trying to discover the "Petrified Forest" and the meaning of his existence, finds himself at a local restaurant. He is drawn to the owner's daughter and aspiring artist Gabby Maple (Bette Davis) and is moved by her eagerness to experience the world and to escape the suffocating life she is trapped in. A catalyst to both their lives will prove to be the outlaw and murderer Duke Mantee (Humphrey Bogart), who seeks refuge in Gabby's restaurant. This film is a great adaptation of the original play, beautifully directed and with fantastic performances by Leslie Howard, Humphrey Bogart, and Bette Davis. Both Howard and Bogart were in the very successful Broadway production, and when Warner Bros. decided to produce this film, although they wanted to get Howard for his role as Alan Squier, they were reluctant to cast newcomer Bogart. However, Leslie Howard insisted and since he refused to do the film without his friend Humphrey Bogart, the studio was left with no choice and Bogart's successful career begun. In total a great classic film that is wonderful to have as a DVD. Highly recommended!!!

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! One of the best gangster collections

These are spectacular films and this collection is well worth the investment. You can never see movies like this too many times, they never really get old. There are plenty of extras supplied including commentary tracks, shorts, cartoons, news reels and other wonderful odds & ends.

Excellent product, delivered as promised.

Good Bette Davis movie but probably better known for saving Humphrey Bogart's career, or more accurately starting his big movie career. Leslie Howard is the star of the film and he insisted that Bogart was cast as the villian, starting a new trend in the portrayal of baddies in the movies. Bette Davis isn't that young in this movie as others have stated, she was in her late 20's and had made nearly 30 movies before this and had been nominated for a Oscar (and about to win one for her previous movie). It's a lovely film adapted from a very successful play and you tell tell by the way the movie is staged and shot, it's an ensamble piece. Leslie Howard's acting seams way ahead of his time and it's he and Bogart that steal the movie. Bette Davis is also strong, but she's still an actress in the making. Not her best role, but it's a solid performance. Great extra's again like most of the Warner Bros DVD's with a full night at the movies experience, they certainly show you how things have changed since the 30's and 40's!