Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 2 (Born to Kill / Clash by Night / Crossfire / Dillinger (1945) / The Narrow Margin (1952))

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Film noir is such a rich cinematic zone that second-tier specimens compel nearly as much fascination as the classics. At a glance, Volume 2 of Warner Bros.' (ever-expanding, we hope) Film Noir Collection is a distinct step down from Volume 1--inevitable when you've launched your series with five landmark titles, including three outright noir masterpieces (The Asphalt Jungle, Gun Crazy, Out of the Past). But linger beyond that first glance, because the second set is a flavorful mix of sleazoid iconography (two vehicles for B-movie bad boy Lawrence Tierney), an offbeat outing for a major director (Fritz Lang in his Howard Hughes RKO period), Poverty Row production circumstances that encourage aggressively peculiar, verging-on-radical filmmaking (the strange mélange that is Monogram's Dillinger), and two pressure-cooker suspense pictures that are landmark films in their own right (Crossfire and The Narrow Margin).

Jean-Luc Godard dedicated Breathless to Monogram Pictures, and Dillinger (1945) was probably the main reason why. With an Oscar-nominated script credited to Philip Yordan (abetted by his friend William Castle, director of Monogram's excellent When Strangers Marry), Max Nosseck's 60some-minute account of the Depression-era outlaw's brashly improvisatory career is a hypnotic mix of bargain-basement filmmaking (lotsa stock footage and minimalist sets), astute ripoff (the rain-and-gas-bomb robbery sequence from Lang's You Only Live Once), and Brechtian bravura. The major Hollywood studios had taken a vow of chastity when it came to glorifying gangsterism; Monogram ignored the embargo and barreled ahead to unaccustomed popular and critical success. The storyline actually scants the ultraviolence (no Bohemia Lodge shootout) and all-star supporting cast (no Pretty Boy Floyd, no Baby Face Nelson) of Dillinger's real life--likely a matter of cost-cutting rather than abstemiousness. Newcomer Lawrence Tierney nails the guy's coldblooded freakiness and animal magnetism, and the supporting cast includes such éminences noirs as Marc Lawrence, Eduardo Ciannelli, and Elisha Cook Jr. Producers Maurice and Frank King would make Gun Crazy four years later.

Born to Kill (1947) is the second helping of Tierney, playing a psychotic drifter who's irresistible to women ("His eyes run up and down ya like a searchlight!" breathes housemaid Ellen Colby, just about the only female he doesn't bother targeting). A number of people end up dead by his hand, but the kicker is that he crosses paths with a woman--socialite-divorcee Claire Trevor--just as heartless as he, and even more treacherous. The script makes less sense with each passing reel, but there are ripe character turns by Walter Slezak, as a philosophical private eye who operates out of a diner; Elisha Cook Jr., as Tierney's more level-headed partner; and Esther Howard, as a hard-bitten old bat who flirts with Cook in a nightmarish nocturnal wasteland outside San Francisco.

Three Roberts--Young, Mitchum, and Ryan--costar in Crossfire (1947), one of only a handful of noirs to be sanctified with Academy Award nominations: best picture, director Edward Dmytryk, screenwriter John Paxton, and supporting players Ryan and Gloria Grahame. The film unreels during a single sweaty, post-WWII night when one among a squad of GIs on leave in Washington, D.C., murders a nice Jewish man (Sam Levene) because he doesn't like "his kind." The audience knows who's guilty before the cops do, and Ryan's portrayal of the bigot will make the hair on your neck rise. Police detective Robert Young plays with his pipe too much and makes one speech too many, but the atmosphere is memorably taut and surreal.

Robert Ryan may be even scarier in Fritz Lang's Clash by Night (1952), a rare noir without any criminal aspect: all its bitterness and savagery is emotional, psychological, and--preeminently--sexual. Barbara Stanwyck, slightly past her stellar peak but in her prime as an actress, plays a married woman in a New England fishing town who knows what a bad idea it is but falls anyway for a vicious, misogynistic movie projectionist. Sample Clifford Odets dialogue, Stanwyck to Ryan: "What do you want to do to me? Put your teeth in me? Hurt me?" Clinching ensues. (All this and Marilyn Monroe, too.)

We've saved the best for last. Narrow Margin (1952) is the kind of trim, beautifully paced movie people have in mind when asking, "Why don't they make 'em like that anymore?" Two cops have to guard a gangster's widow against assassination as she rides the Golden West Limited sleeper train from Chicago to give evidence in L.A. Soon there's only one cop (gravel-voiced Charles McGraw, usually a villain), and he's finding the sharp-tongued widow (Marie Windsor) as obnoxious as she is endangered. Nothing goes quite as you'd expect in this exemplary train thriller, which rattles and rocks toward its destination without a music track or a wasted moment. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Hollywood's legendary tough guys and femme fatales collide again in The Film Noir Classic Collection Volume Two. The Collection includes five smoldering classics, all new to DVD and all digitally remastered: Born to Kill, Clash By Night, Crossfire, Dillinger and The Narrow Margin. The movies star film noir icons Robert Mitchum, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Lawrence Tierney and Claire Trevor, among others, and feature commentaries from film historians and directors including Robert Wise on Born To Kill Peter Bogdanovich, with archival contributions from Fritz Lang, on Clash By Night; John Milius on Dillinger and William Friedkin and Richard Fleischer on The Narrow Margin.

Customer Reviews:

Not the ultimate but still good.......2006-08-28

Compared to the outstanding Volume 1 in the collection, Volume 2 is not as exciting. However, it's still worth having.

Each movie in this box set has something unusual to contribute, so even though some of the titles aren't textbook noir, they have enough noir elements to give them a toehold on the genre. I hope future volumes (I have #3 already) will include more intriguing titles. My preference would be for Angelface, Desperate, Conflict, Dead Reckoning, and The Big Heat. That said, I don't regret adding Volume 2 to my collection.

Born To Kill has all the classic elements an admirer of the genre craves and more. From the title one thinks the story will chronicle the destruction (and inevitable self-destruction) wrought by Laurence Tierney's one-track, menacing psychopath, and it does. But the original working title, Deadlier Than the Male, reveals the real story: Claire Trevor's composed detachment and icy self-possession as she takes over Tierney and assumes control of their situation. She manipulates people and events as though conducting moves in a game. She is utterly amoral, unlike Tierney's maniac who is organically bad; she has a choice whether to be bad or not, and simply doesn't care. The nice twist here is that in the toughguy chauvinism of noir, the woman proves more cunning and dangerous than any man.

Clash By Night has the telltale moodiness and self-destruction of noir, but without the moral ambiguity and lawless element. There is plenty of violence but not in the physical sense. Here it mainly takes place in the emotional upheaval of the characters, thus setting apart this title in a niche of its own.

Crossfire is an important piece for its groundbreaking treatment of bigotry, specifically anti-Semitism. Released slightly sooner than Gentleman's Agreement, an argument can be made that this movie paved the way for the social commentary that would mark much of postwar cinema.

Dillinger is a great example of how skimpy budgets helped create the look of what would come to be known as film noir. Not a lot of pennies went into this one, but neither was a single penny misspent. Every scene is spare and tight and the entire story moves along with the singlemindedness of a getaway car.

The Narrow Margin is all sharp angles and sharp dialogue, and even has a sharp detective in a tight spot. All in all, a sharp little movie, but what really sets it apart is the complete lack of a music score. The director replaces strings and brass with locomotives to punctuate what might otherwise be a typical suspense-on-a-train yarn. The rushing rhythm of the tracks enhances the rapid pace of the story and unrelenting pursuit of the antagonists, while whistles and screeches mirror the shrill unpleasantness of a reluctant witness escorted by an even more reluctant protector. Claustrophobes beware--the train interiors give this one a real sense of restriction and entrapment.

There are not a lot of extra features in this set but each title does include a commentary track. I especially liked the ones on Born To Kill and Crossfire.

Disappointing follow up to vol. 1.......2006-06-30

I had high hopes for this set after being quite impressed with vol. 1. All the movies were top notch & they all looked excellent (probably restored). Then came the Gangsters box set, which, while not all 5 star movies, made up for that fact by also including introductory news reels, cartoons & featurettes for each film. After watching all of these films, I must say it seems like WB has rushed this one onto the market. No extras like the Gangsters box set and the prints used for this set weren't restored. "Crossfire" in particular looks really bad, with all kinds of spots & cuts. The movies were also a mixed bag. Despite its title, "Dillinger" was particularly dull, a rather formulaic bank robbery movie. "Crossfire" had potential, but it's social commentary becomes a little preachy in the end, though it may be of interest to film historians. "Clash By night" was the biggest surprise in its dark view of married life. Hopefully WB will put at least a little bit more effort into vol. 3.

An Interesting Mix.......2006-03-31

This set illustrates the diversity of Noir films. Crossfire and Narrow Margin develop plot complexities handled in very dynamic ways that propel the film. Born To Kill, Dillinger, and Clash center on strong but flawed personalities and the viewer watches them self destruct over the course of the film. The filming of Clash strongly suggests the stage play from which it came. Individual performances are fascinating. Barbara Stanwyck in Clash is delightfully hard edged and cynical. Marie Windsor in Margin is gorgeous and a very good actress. Robert Young in Crossfire is unexpectedly forceful. Robert Ryan is always threatening and relentless. Robert Mitchum plays the somewhat weary, seen it all before character of many of his early films. Lawrence Tierney is perhaps the stiffist actor to ever be filemd. Two of his films is one too many.

A Worthy Sequel..........2005-11-05

Beautiful, just beautiful! I was floored by WB's 1st "classic noir" boxed set, and this one is just as good.
The films are not as well known, and may not be in the same tier as the ones in the first set (how can you top "Out of the Past"?.. okay, you CAN'T), but they are all truly great noir flicks, with absolutely stellar digital transfer. The commentary is also just so cool on these films. Did you like the 1st set? Do you like noir? Do you simply like a great, entertaining movie? If the answer is 'yes' to any of these questions, then by all means buy this (priced right) set immediately, and buy the "Volume 1 set". Watch and enjoy, and wait, with baited breath, for when WB releases the next volume of this series. Incredible set, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Almost as good as Volume 1.......2005-09-21

The first set of the Film Noir Classic Collection was chock full of great movies, so I was naturally looking forward to the second set. Volume 2, happily, is also a good collection, not quite at the par of the first set but still with five decent-to-great movies. And if they play a little faster and looser with the definition of film noir in this set, that doesn't deprive the collection of its value.

First viewed (I tried watching them in chronological order) is Dillinger, a fictional biography of the real-life criminal John Dillinger. This movie stars Lawrence Tierney as the title character, a generally cold-hearted killer who is a cunning bank robber. For those most familiar with Tierney from his role as a crime boss in Reservoir Dogs, this is a showcase for the actor in his prime. The movie itself is more of an old-fashioned gangster movie (similar to the ones in the Warner Gangster Collection) than a true noir movie, but it is nonetheless good, though too much the B movie to be great.

Second is Crossfire, a more true noir film dealing with anti-Semitism. Starring three Roberts - Ryan, Young and Mitchum - it gets somewhat preachy towards the end which makes it merely good instead of great. Although the focus of the story shifts from character to character, the true star is Ryan as a hateful psychopath. Mitchum is good but underutilized and Young is competent but relatively boring.

The gem of the collection is Born to Kill, with Lawrence Tierney and Claire Trevor in a tale of classic film noir complete with femme fatales, murder and plenty of shady characters. Tierney plays a man on the lam after killing his girlfriend and her date (an ill-conceived attempt to get Tierney jealous). Soon he meets Trevor, but finding her engaged, woos and marries her wealthy step-sister. That doesn't stop Trevor and Tierney from their own star-crossed romance and soon enough there is more death. Directed by Robert Wise (also responsible for The Set-Up, and in other genres, The Day the Earth Stood Still, West Side Story and Sound of Music), this is one of the classics of the noir genre.

Almost as good is Narrow Margin, the one movie with lesser stars such as Charles McGraw and Marie Windsor. The story is about a cop escorting a reluctant witness on a train ride from Chicago to Los Angeles; also aboard the train are killers who don't know what the witness looks like, but are certain that McGraw is protecting her. This leads to mix-ups and plot twists that are ironic but rarely comic. This is one of the great "train thrillers," a neat sub-genre that includes such classics as The Lady Vanishes and North by Northwest.

Finally, there is Clash by Night. Although the use of lighting and dialogue is noirish, this movie is not film noir but rather a soap opera with a romantic triangle of Barbara Stanwyck as the woman with the past, Paul Douglas as her benevolent but rather simple husband and Robert Ryan as the callous friend who insinuates himself into her life. Marilyn Monroe has a small role but as always, steals her scenes. Playing her boyfriend is Keith Andes, a guy who was supposed to be the next big thing but never made it.

All the discs come with commentaries that are often illuminating. Born to Kill and Narrow Margin are five-star flicks; the others are four stars. That averages to 4.4, but I will round up because of the extras. Even if these are not all truly film noir, this is a great collection and well-worth the viewing if you enjoy classic movies.

Average customer rating:

A VIOLENT RETRO-BULLETFEST!!!!!! COOOOL!!!!
Filmed entirely in Oklahoma
FBI practice targets have John Dillinger's face on them.
If time's one thing you've got plenty of...
Dillinger - The Ultimate Anti-hero

Dillinger
Starring: Warren Oates , Ben Johnson , Michelle Phillips , Cloris Leachman , and Harry Dean Stanton
Director: John Milius
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0792846877
Release Date: 2000-09-19

Description

From the writer of Apocalypse Now comes an electrifying crime saga about one of the most notorious gangsters of the 1930s. Starring Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman and Richard Dreyfuss, Dillinger sets the screen ablaze with explosive shootouts, daring escapes and magnificent performances. Bank robber John Dillinger (Oates) has become a folk hero to the people ofDepression-era America, capturing their imaginations with the exploits of his outlaw "super-gang." But time may be running out for Dillinger's violent band of fugitives; the FBI's finest agent (Johnson) is on the case, and his pursuit won't end until every member of the gang is behind bars...or dead! Charged with heartstopping action and riveting drama, Dillinger is an unforgettable experience hailed as nothing less than "brilliant" (San Francisco Chronicle)!

Customer Reviews:

A VIOLENT RETRO-BULLETFEST!!!!!! COOOOL!!!! .......2007-04-27

MAN! This movie is COOL and ACTION-PACKED!

Like I said, the movie IS violent: There are many bloody scenes, innocent killings and LOTS OF SHOOTING!!! (like a war)
The acting was also very good and so the dialoge, The 1930's setting was VERY well made, there are some good dramatic scenes and a VERY GOOD 30's soundtrack.

What I didn't like was that the picture quality wasn't THAT good, but the movie is low budget and besides the picture looks clear enough, really! AND what really bugs me is that there are VERY FEW CAR CHASES! (only one actually, and it wasn't that good)!!

P.S: If you are looking for bulletfest movies then buy this one, BUT if you are looking for "retro car chases" then this one is not for you.

Adios.

Filmed entirely in Oklahoma.......2007-03-20

Nice old movie but the highlight for me is that it was filmed in Oklahoma. Scenes from Enid, Oklahoma City, Skirvin Hotel, etc. Movie is decent with some big stars.

FBI practice targets have John Dillinger's face on them........2007-03-16

John Dillinger escaped from the Crown Point jail
by carving a gun out of a bar of soap,
and putting black shoe polish on it.

He took 2 hostages and while being pursued,
stopped and robbed another bank.

He burned the mortgages in the bank,
freeing the poor home-owners from bank debt.

He shook of his pursuers,
and gave the hostages a cut of the loot.

John Dillinger raised bank-robbing from a trade to an art.

Warren Oates
Richard Dreyfuss
Michelle Phillips
Ben Johnson
Harry Dean Stanton
Cloris Leachman win's oscar

I you like this movie try
Reservoir Dogs - (Mr. Pink) 10th Anniversary Special Limited Edition

If time's one thing you've got plenty of..........2007-03-16

A classic "cult classic" if there ever was one. This will probably never show up on a critic's best list, but if you are interested in a minor 70's post "Bonnie and Clyde" take on the Dillinger story, and especially if you are a Warren Oates fan, check this film out.

This, along with "Deliverance", is probably the film most meant for Peckinpah that he never directed. (See my review for "Deliverance") Just looking at the cast list (Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton) reminds me of the beginnings of the Peckinpah stock company. I have no evidence that Sam was ever intended for or was interested in this property, but the possibilities do boggle the mind.

Those looking for historical accuracy should look elsewhere. However, if this piques your interest in Dillinger, I highly recommend the book "Dillinger Days" by John Toland. Amazing, if you think about it, that there were so many gangs criss-crossing the midwest during the late 20's-early 30's. Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, Dutch Schultz, Pretty Boy Floyd, Creepy Carpis, Machine Gun Kelly, Dillinger and more. Often they were looked upon as Robin Hood type characters by the general public; that is, until the shoot out at Kansas City's Union Station where a couple of FBI agents were gunned down (ironically along with the criminal that the gunmen intended to spring loose). A very bloody time in our nation's history. Like the sheriff said in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "you're nothing but two bit outlaws and you're going to die bloody". Many of them did.

Best lines in the movie? There are many, but my favorite: "Son, do you need a Bible?" "I have sinned, but I enjoyed it. And I have killed men, but the sons of bitches deserved it. Any way you figure it, it's too late for no Bible."

Dillinger - The Ultimate Anti-hero.......2007-03-14

First and foremost I will get my complaints out of the way, as they are only small and petty. For the most part I can forgive the historical inaccuracies, but a few things need be mentioned.

Firstly, the portrayal of Baby Face Nelson is both good and atrocious. Nelson was his own man and didn't take crap from anybody. The scene where he first meets Dillinger is both wrong, and portrays Nelson as somewhat of a pussy. This was certainly not the case. Lester Gillis still holds the distinction of killing the most federal agents in history, along with the top ranked agent killed on duty (Samuel Cowley). Whining aside though, his death scene is reasonably accurate apart from the ommitance of John Paul Chase and the fact that it took him hours to slowly die.

Secondly, the gunning down of "Pretty Boy" Floyd is accurate right up until the point where he utters his last words. A man like Floyd would never utter the words "I'm glad it was you," (to Melvin Purvis). In fact, Floyd's dying words, upon being asked about the Kansas City Massacre were "Tell you nothing..."

Finally, Melvin Purvis was pretty much totally inept at his job. His propensity to screw up simple things continued to land him in hot water with Hoover. The portrayal of his character in this film is unfortunately very far from the truth. This is not to take away from the performance by Ben Johnson, which I must say is top notch.

Now. Warren Oates. Looks like Dillinger. Plays the egotistical, charasmatic gangster that Dillinger was to a T. Gotta love it and makes you wonder what happened to him after this role.

The shoot-outs are loud, violent, and pretty authentic, especially the one at Little Bohemia. I believe that the total ineptness that the FBI displayed in this battle has been well portrayed in the film.

The doggedness and persistence of the FBI is also well portrayed, let's not forget, that for the most part, these guys were called upon to take on the worst of the public enemies. Usually in prolonged gunfight. Lots of people may discount the FBI use of firepower as over the top, but I believe it to be wholly accurate. All you need to do is read any of the books concerning this part of history and you will understand what I'm talking about.

Lastly, mention must be made of the great lengths gone to to display the depression era as it was. The dusty mid-west, from small quaint towns to sand blown ranges and the authentic cars lend themselves very well to enhancing the effect. Couple this with some Tommy-guns and you have a winner.

By all means, If you like gangster movies, you can't go past this one. Never mind the historical inaccuracies and ommisions, this is a top notch. Hollywood before it went downhill!

Anyone interested in the real story of Dillinger, Nelson etc. should check out the various books available. I heartily recommend PUBLIC ENEMIES: AMERICA'S GREATEST CRIME WAVE AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI 1933-1934 (BRYAN BURROUGH) and THE DILLINGER DAYS (JOHN TOLAND).

Average customer rating:

Holy Guacamole!!
Fast-Moving, With A Real Thug Playing A Famous Thug!
Fast paced action, but the DVD quality was sub par
Lawrence Tierney Rules!!!
A Little Picture That Could

Dillinger
Starring: Edmund Lowe , Anne Jeffreys , Eduardo Ciannelli , Marc Lawrence , and Elisha Cook Jr.
Director: Max Nosseck
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00097DY0W
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Amazon.com

Jean-Luc Godard dedicated his first film, Breathless, to Monogram Pictures, and Dillinger (1945) was probably the main reason why. Short and brutal, like the Depression outlaw's brashly improvisatory career, Max Nosseck's picture was a bit of an outlaw enterprise itself. In the '40s the major Hollywood studios had all taken a vow of chastity when it came to glorifying the headline-grabbing gangsters of the previous decade; Monogram ignored the embargo and barreled ahead, grabbing some headlines of its own and more box office than usual for a Poverty Row operation. Philip Yordan's script was Oscar-nominated (on the DVD's commentary track he co-credits his friend William Castle, director of Monogram's excellent When Strangers Marry), though the film has a patchwork feel to it, as if assembled and reassembled on the run. Directed by Max Nosseck, it's a hypnotic mix of bargain-basement filmmaking (lotsa stock footage and stark, minimalist sets), astute ripoff (the rain-and-gas-bomb robbery sequence from Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once), and Brechtian bravura. The storyline actually scants the ultraviolence (no Bohemia Lodge shootout) and all-star supporting cast (no Pretty Boy Floyd, no Baby Face Nelson) of Dillinger's real life--likely a matter of cost-cutting rather than abstemiousness. Newcomer Lawrence Tierney nails the guy's coldblooded freakiness and animal magnetism, and the supporting cast includes such éminences noirs as Marc Lawrence, Eduardo Ciannelli, and Elisha Cook Jr. Producers Maurice and Frank King would make the great Gun Crazy four years later. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Willie Sutton robbed banks during the Depression because, he explained, "That's where the money is." Former Indiana farmboy John Dillinger also knew where the money was. And his string of early-1930s heists, murders and daring jailbreaks were so bold and notorious he became Public Enemy #1. Dillinger, Oscar-nominated* for its screenplay, is the bullet-paced story of the man whose crimes captivated and terrified the nation. Lawrence Tierney plays the title role, breaking free of screen anonymity and moving into a 50-year tough-guy career that would include 1947's Born to Kill and 1992's Reservoir Dogs. Perhaps it was a brutal early prison stretch that turned Dillinger from kid to killer. Perhaps he was a murderous thug to his core. Either way, Dillinger presents his story with film-noir style and lets you decide.

Customer Reviews:

Holy Guacamole!!.......2007-06-10

Lawrence Tierney is one bad dude. This is an excellent crime-noir, introducing Lawrence Tierney and unleashing him on the unsuspecting public. Mr Tierney stars as John Dillinger in this film of his rise and fall. Dillinger starts on his life of crime at the hands of a b-girl. He gets sent up the river where he falls in with a group of professional bank thieves. The leader, "Specs", disrespects our Man, and you know where that leads. Be afraid! There is a lot of implied violence which is very chillingly portrayed. The movie is beautiful to look at and Mr Tierney is all cold nasty, sexy rage. Recommended.

Fast-Moving, With A Real Thug Playing A Famous Thug!.......2006-04-24

This movie has several big things going for it: its short, fast-moving and just plain entertaining. How much more do you want? Also, Lawrence Tierney was made for gangster/film noir movies. He looks the part, acts the part, and was a thug in real life, too. Who better than to portray famous criminal John Dillinger as a cold-blooded killer?

This was Tierney's starring debut and it was a good vehicle for him. I also enjoyed Edmund Lowe as the gang boss prior to Tierney taking over. I enjoyed the supporting cast, too: Anne Jeffreys, Elisha Cook Jr., Eduardo Cianelli and Marc Lawrence. All of them add to this film.

I was glad they concentrated on the crime part of the film and didn't go crazy with a sappy romance. However, I am sorry Jeffreys wasn't on screen more often. She had the '40s look, if I ever saw it.

Fast paced action, but the DVD quality was sub par .......2005-07-28

This review is for the 2005 Warner Brothers DVD.

This film is about the real life bank robber John Dillinger who is arguably the most notorious robber in the history of American and earned the nickname "Public Enemy #1". From my brief research on the internet, the movie appears to be relatively true to form. From the early `30s until his death in 1934, Dillinger wreaked havoc across America with his brutal bank robberies and daring prison escapes.

The film itself moves fast, but is only 70 minutes long. There is little character development and the action is continuous and rarely dull. Lawrence Tierney stars as John Dillinger. This was his screen acting debut and he does little to set the acting world on fire. Even in scenes of major confrontation, Tierney seems expressionless and lacks emotional body language. Perhaps this was by design by the director. But if you are fan of vintage gangster films, I'm confident that you will be entertained and pleased with action and drama.

The DVD was remastered but not restored and unfortunately there was a significant amount of film damage. There were five or six scenes with at least 3 or 4 seconds of severely damaged footage. The remastering helped make the picture look sharp but tiny specs of deterioration were still prevalent throughout the film, but that wasn't a major deal compared to the noticeably larger scratches. Warner has historically been one of the better studios for film restoration and they obviously decided to not fix up this film. Due to the limited market of a DVD like this, I'm sure the payoff wasn't there to restore an entire movie, but if they would have at least fixed the severely damaged frames, that would have been sufficient for me.

PLEASE NOTE: Before buying this DVD, consider buying the Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 2 which contains this movie plus four other highly recommended movies at a very reasonable price.

Movie: B-

DVD Quality: C

Lawrence Tierney Rules!!!.......2005-07-11

Yes, this film feels like a diatribe. It's probably less factual than the film version of John Dillinger's exploits that director John Milius made in the seventies. So why do I recommend this film over Milius' more polished account? Well, this film in a campy, over-the-top way is just so entertaining. Secondly, Lawrence Tierney in the title role is such a magnetic screen presence. His tough ferocity keeps the film's campier elements in check and grounds it in some semblance of reality. There's also a good supporting cast here with gangster veterans Marc Lawrence and Elisha Cook Jr. (seems like he's in all these noir-gangster flicks) on hand. The story is told here crisply and in an economical 70 minutes so if you have an hour plus to kill there's worse ways to do it. Oh, John, if only you had the two bucks to pay for the drinks!

A Little Picture That Could.......2005-07-08

Movie: **** DVD Transfer: **** Extras: ***

This ultra low-budget film released by Poverty Row's Monogram Pictures is much better than the studio's standard fare, thanks to the artistry of a fine cast and a few capable technicians. The script by Philip Yordan is a typical biographical whitewash job that bears only a passing resemblance to the true story of 1930's gangster John Dillinger; and yet it works just fine as a piece of noir crime drama, with sturdy dialogue and interesting characters. In his first starring role, Lawrence Tierney acquits himself well as Dillinger; and lovely Anne Jeffreys (although anachronistic in her 1940's fashions and hairstyle) turns in a fine performance as his treacherous moll. But the real acting honors are shared by the four actors who comprise Tierney's original gang: former silent star Edmund Lowe; veteran character player Eduardo Ciannelli; the craggy-faced Marc Lawrence; and the always reliable Elisha Cook, Jr. Each of these men is given a brief but ample opportunity to shine, and each one makes the most of his turn in the spotlight. Also of note are the musical score by Dimitri Tiomkin, and the moody black and white cinematography of Jackson Rose.

The Warner Brothers DVD release of this film offers unexpectedly fine picture and audio quality. It must be kept in mind that to keep production costs down, "Dillinger" includes many snippets of stock footage from other films, and this generic footage was filmed at different times with varying film grains, and with a hodge-podge of technical styles. As presented here, it all blends fairly seemlessly, with only a few really rough spots standing out. The DVD includes a serviceable audio commentary by John Milius, director of the 1973 "Dillinger"; his sometimes meandering remarks are intercut with old excerpts of an interview with screenwriter Yordan. The Original Theatrical Trailer is also included ... see if you don't agree that the "Time" magazine quote at the trailer's end ("DILLINGER reached unmatched heights of daredevil ruthlessness!") refers to the actual man rather than the magazine's review of this little diamond in the rough.

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Crimes of the Century
Starring: Charles Manson , Lee Harvey Oswald , John Wayne Gacy , Mark David Chapman , and Sirhan Sirhan
Manufacturer: Marathon Music & Video
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Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lecters

ASIN: B00005Y8J9
Release Date: 2001-05-29

Average customer rating:

There is a reason why this DVD is cheap...

Miss Machine: The Dvd (Amar)
Starring: Dillinger Escape Plan
Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FG5OMI
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Description

If their earlier work set the curve for their contemporaries to follow, then The DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's critically-acclaimed second record Miss Machine reached an altogether new apex. Yet another sonic quantum leap forward into infamy, Miss Machine's mind-bending fusion of infectious melody, intrepid arrangements, and immeasurable intensity shattered expectations and silenced skeptics. This limited-edition, specially-priced DVD is a visual documentation of Miss Machine. A collection of behind-the-scenes footage, all the studio videos from the record, and live clips spanning the worldwide Miss Machine tour, Miss Machine - The DVD is an altogether different way to experience this legendary band.

Customer Reviews:

There is a reason why this DVD is cheap..........2006-09-12

I got this DVD today and It has a lot of cool features on it. Some of them are a little under my standards, but it's still cool to have a dillinger dvd. The 3 music videos panasonic youth, Sleeping Giants, and Unretrofied. Panasonic and Sleeping Giants are in mono sound for some reason, while Unretrofied is in Stereo. The dvd is in 480p, i think. The live footage is pretty cool too. Most of the sound on these live videos have been recorded from the board, but 2 videos seem to be straight from the camera, which doesn't sound too good. Live versions of Panasonic Youth and Phone Home were not recorded from the board. Other live videos include Sunshine the Werewolf, Sleeping Giants, and A Perfect Design. DVD extras include The Making of Unretrofied, which I'll admit I didn't watch most of it because it was kinda boring. The making of Miss Machine is video from the Special Edition DVD with the CD, so expect the same footage. There is also interview footage of all members except for Liam.. I don't know why he wasn't in the video. The interviews take place in an elevator, with the door behind them so It opens up once or twice while someone is talking. They basically just talk about how Miss Machine was constructed and why they recorded in different studios. The last extra on the DVD is a Press Gallery which is just snip-it's from rock magazines that talked about the Miss Machine Album. In the background of this feature, Baby's First Coffin is playing. All in all, it's a cool DVD. But I probably won't watch it for a long time. This DVD does not capture the essence of what Dillinger is like live. It almost seems like they are toned down (except for the opening of Pansonic Youth). I've seen them live and they are amazing. If you are fan of Dillinger, then go ahead and get this DVD. It's cheap and it's not like you are going to waste money. It's pocket change kids. I'm sure if they had put more work into it, maybe showing more live footage this would have been a 5 star (since I like seeing live footage). There is nothing from Calculating Infinity on this. I know it's a let down.. i was kinda hoping to see Sugar Coated Sour or 43% Burnt, but it's not on here. Hopefully they will release a Fully Professional Live DVD in the near future. I would buy it for sure.

Average customer rating:

You Make Me Dead
Starring: Julie Dillinger , Scott Trask , Melanie Fusaro , Justin Pearce , and Jeff Zuptich
Director: John Vogler
Manufacturer: To Boddah
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

In an attempt to escape a rough existence in the thralls of Downtown Los Angeles, Lupon, a meth-addicted Transgender youth betrays Sidney Trash, the local drug dealer he's been working for. Sidney, intent on getting payback for what he's owed, hunts down Lupon's twin sister, Lola, and murders her in front of her boyfriend, Brandyn. When Brandyn delivers the news to Lupon about Lola, he sets out to avenge his twin sister's death by transforming himself into her image and enlisting Brandyn to help find and kill Sidney Trash. Although the plan to escape the city still exists in Lupon's mind, a harsh reality finally extinguishes the dream of a better life.

Average customer rating:

The movie is not real!!!
A good gangster flic
It's great!

Dillinger and Capone
Starring: Martin Sheen , F. Murray Abraham , Stephen Davies , Catherine Hicks , and Don Stroud
Director: Jon Purdy
Manufacturer: New Concorde
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000060MVX
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Customer Reviews:

The movie is not real!!!.......2004-04-01

I should have read some reviews before I bought this movie. I am a BIG fan of all mob movies. When I was watching this movie I could not help but laugh because it was so damn fake. When it comes to my mob movies, I like real stuff. I would have been ok with this movie if they did not use the names of Capone & Dillinger. The actors were not bad, the movie was not bad but damn they need to change the title. They are just distroying the great names of Capone & Dillinger with this movie.

A good gangster flic.......2004-01-05

Although this is a totally fictional story, it is very entertaining. Martin Sheen does (as alwas) a fantastic acting job.
The FBI gun down the wrong Dillinger, killing John Dillinger's brother. So John takes it on the lame going straight with a new life, and family.
But Al Capone finds out about Dillinger and gets him to pull one more heist. A bank robbery where Capone has his money stashed away. Capone holds Dillinger's wife and son as hostage.
I bought this in the bargen bin for about $5. Well worth it.

It's great!.......1999-10-19

I've never seen it, but I think J.D. Morgan is a great actor

Average customer rating:

DVD very interesting

American Experience: Public Enemy #1

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

ASIN: B000K15W3O
Release Date: 2006-10-26

Description

From 1933 to 1934, America was thrilled and terrorized by John Dillinger, bank robber and desperado whose reputation grew until he became the country's first Public Enemy No. 1. Hunted by every cop in America, Dillinger became a minor folk hero, garnering the support of ordinary Americans hard hit by the Great Depression. Betrayed by a mysterious woman, Dillinger finally fell to the guns of the F.B.I., led by J. Edgar Hoover.

Customer Reviews:

DVD very interesting.......2007-06-02

I really enjoyed watching this DVD. Being from Indiana, it is part of my family's history

Dillinger is Dead (Dillinger e Morto) [Non-US Format, PAL Region 0]

Average customer rating:

Dillinger is Dead (Dillinger e Morto) [Non-US Format, PAL Region 0]
Director: Marco Ferreri
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

PAL Region Free
No English language

ASIN: B000JSG48K

Average customer rating:

Miss Machine: The Dvd (Jewl)
Starring: Dillinger Escape Plan
Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FG5OMS
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Description

DVD:

DVD

DVD