The Gangster
| The Gangster | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gordon Wiles |
| Produced by |
Frank King Maurice King |
| Written by | Daniel Fuchs |
| Screenplay by |
Daniel Fuchs Dalton Trumbo |
| Based on | Low Company |
| Starring |
Barry Sullivan Belita Joan Lorring Akim Tamiroff |
| Music by | Louis Gruenberg |
| Cinematography | Paul Ivano |
| Editing by | Walter A. Thompson |
| Studio | King Brothers Productions |
| Distributed by | Allied Artists Pictures |
| Release dates |
|
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Gangster (aka Low Company) is a 1947 American crime film noir directed by Gordon Wiles. The drama features Barry Sullivan, Belita, Joan Lorring and Akim Tamiroff. The screenplay was written by Daniel Fuchs, based on his novel Low Company (1937).[1]
Plot
A troubled gangster, who has lost all faith in people, loses his weak grip on life.
Cast
- Barry Sullivan as Shubunka
- Belita as Nancy Starr
- Joan Lorring as Dorothy
- Akim Tamiroff as Nick Jammey
- Harry Morgan as Shorty
- John Ireland as Karty
- Sheldon Leonard as Cornell
- Fifi D'Orsay as Mrs. Ostroleng
- Virginia Christine as Mrs. Karty
- Elisha Cook Jr. as Oval
- Shelley Winters as Hazel
Reception
Critical response
Film critic Dennis Schwartz gave the film a mixed review, writing, "A Poverty Row crime melodrama that has its moments of traditional crime, but moves along not in the traditional way of tracing the rise and fall of its protagonist. Instead the film noir is more concerned with establishing a forlorn mood and being artistically stylish, as director Gordon Wiles (won an Oscar as art director for the 1931 Transatlantic) creates a theatrical piece that is unnecessarily stagelike and much too pretentious for the modest storyline. It is adapted by screenwriter Daniel Fuchs from his book Low Company, and much of its too arty nature is attributed by rumor to the uncredited role Dalton Trumbo played in the screenplay."[2]
TV Guide gave the film a positive review, writing, "The Gangster is an offbeat entry in the film noir genre, one that places the accent on the psychological. Though at times muddled, the script strives to maintain a deeper approach than such films as The Public Enemy or Al Capone. In its day this film was considered something of an artistic triumph..."[3]
Noir analysis
Film historian Blake Lucas, discussed the film noir aspects of the film, writing, ...The Gangster is arty and affected, as director Gordon Wiles has gravitated toward the creation of a theatrical rather than a visual impression. A film - and the most visually exciting of film noir bear this out - can show discernment and restraint when there are pretentious aspects implicit in the material."[4]
References
- ↑ The Gangster at the Internet Movie Database.
- ↑ Schwartz, Dennis. Ozus' World Movie Reviews, film review, January 12, 2004. Last accessed: February 26, 2011.
- ↑ TV Guide, film review. Last accessed: February 26, 2011.
- ↑ Silver, Alain, and Elizabeth Ward, eds. Film Noir: An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style, film noir analysis by Blake Lucas, page 111, 3rd edition, 1992. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press. ISBN 0-87951-479-5.
External links
- The Gangster at the Internet Movie Database
- The Gangster at allmovie
- The GangsterThe Gangster at the TCM Movie Database
- The Gangster informational site and DVD review at DVD beaver (includes images)
- The Gangster film clip at YouTube