Classic Gangster Movie Recomendations

[SuperDanX]

Hi guys,

Could you please recommend me some classic gangster movies on DVD please (any region) I'm interested in seeing films from the 30s and 40s mainly.

Thanks in advance.

[Steve-O]

Hi guys,

Could you please recommend me some classic gangster movies on DVD please (any region) I'm interested in seeing films from the 30s and 40s mainly.

Thanks in advance.

I would recommend the entire WB DVD Gangster sets. They are fantastic (and the quality is top drawer)...

I believe there are 4 sets. The first is (and usually is) the best of the lot:

The Public Enemy
The taut, realistic time capsule of the Prohibition Era. James Cagney's breakthrough role! With 2 minutes of Recovered Footage not seen in over 70 years.

White Heat
"Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" Cagney's psychotic Cody Jarrett sparks this searing classic.

Angels with Dirty Faces
Best Actor James Cagney: New York Film Critics/National Board of Review Awards! Ghetto kids admire a swaggering killer. With Humphrey Bogart, Pat O'Brien and the Dead End Kids.

Little Caesar
Loosely based on Al Capone! Edward G. Robinson dishes it out in a fiery masterwork.

The Petrified Forest
Bogie grabs notice as fugitive and hostage-taker Duke Mantee. With Bette Davis.

The Roaring Twenties
"He used to be a big shot." Cagney vs. Bogie in a racketeer rumble.

[Movie Memories]

I would strongly second Steve-O's recommendation. These films are both classic and historic to the gangster genre.

[SuperDanX]

Cheers, I'll look into those.

[Keith]

I third Steve-O's recommendation. The Roaring Twenties and White Heat are my favorites off the first collection.

The second set has some gems, especially 'G' Men, Each Dawn I Die and City for Conquest all starring James Cagney. He plays the good guy in these but he's still tough.

All the sets are on sale at Amazon.

[Adam Lounsbery]

Yes, G-Men is definitely worth seeing, even though Cagney plays a good guy in it.

And of course, Howard Hawks's Scarface is indispensable, if you haven't already seen it.

[Steve-O]

City for Conquest and White Heat are noir in my opinion too. Two of my favorites. Come to think of it City for Conquest isn't a gangster film but it's on a set and it's great.

[Raven]

If we’re just talking gangsters, I’d add in an extra helping of Bogart; Bullets or Ballots, Racket Busters, The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse, The Big Shot, Invisible Stripes, Brother Orchid, High Sierra, and Key Largo.