They were brisk, economical movies soaked with cynicism and Cruel Irony. The dialogue was fast, droll, and slang-y, and it wasted no time.
The movies featured characters in desperate situations, often “borrowed” from real life. No matter how many times characters thumbed their noses at police or society, the scripts had to convey the Production Code message that Crime Does Not Pay.
In our opinion, the Warner Bros. gangster flicks were concerned with one lesson: Life is Not Fair.
Authority figures in these films are usually powerful and dedicated to their own self-interests. It’s unfortunate innocent bystanders get hurt, but suckers get hurt anyway, so what can you do.
Look at the B-movie, They Made Me a Criminal (1939), a film that sneers at its main character and spends most of its 92-minute run time robbing him of hope.
John Garfield stars as a professional boxer who is both a champ and a phony. He pretends to adore his mother, and is all Aw-Shucks sweetness in radio interviews, but it’s a facade to cover his love of booze and fast women. Get this: He tells his friends he ain’t even got a mother.
When we first meet Garfield, he is at the Pinnacle of his existence. He’s just won a world boxing championship, along with $10,000 in prize money, and he revels in the love of fans from across the country.
Alas, this is as good as it gets for him; the Warner Bros. script writers will find a way to knock him flat, and it doesn’t even take 15 minutes.
There’s a murder, a crooked lawyer, an explosive car accident, and these events shove Garfield to the bottom of the American socio-economic scale. He can’t catch a break.
The film deals in disillusionment like it’s currency. It spends ill fortune lavishly, and even sends Garfield to a date farm in Arizona, which turns out to be an outdoor reformatory for delinquent youths. Garfield reluctantly becomes their de facto mentor, and the script rewards him by making him even more indentured.
But yet.
Despite this, there is still enough doggedness in Garfield and his protégés to glean something from their circumstances. They ain’t going down without a Fight.
The Warner Bros. scriptwriters will at least allow them that.
It’s all fun and games until the Law shows up. Image: film.nu
They Made Me a Criminal was released in 1939, a difficult year for B-movies to gain recognition. 1939 is often regarded as Hollywood’s Golden Year, and the legendary films from that year make for a crowded Playing Field.
This film was directed, surprisingly, by Busby Berkeley, he of the groundbreaking 1930s Musical Extravaganzas. It’s a shame Berkeley didn’t direct more dramas, because this film is gritty and thought-provoking.
The cast is superb, and it’s astonishing to see who’s in the line-up, starting with John Garfield in his first leading role. Garfield had already received an Oscar nomination, and would become something of a legend for playing rough, working-class Joes with astonishing depth and sympathy.
Ann Sheridan, in a minor role, already had several years of film experience, although much of it was uncredited. However, by the late 1930s, her career was gaining traction and, by the end of the 1940s, she would star with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
We hate to say it, but the disappointment here is Claude Rains, and we can hardly believe we’re writing these words. He’s dreadfully miscast as a scornful New York cop, but he plows through the thing anyway, thanks to the threat of being suspended by Warner Bros. Rains later said it was one of his least favourite roles.
The problem of the 1939 release year notwithstanding, it’s hard to believe this B-movie is not more well known today. It’s a rare film with three actors who would experience tremendous success in the 1940s.
It is a pleasure to see them in a film that, perhaps, isn’t as jaded as it first appears.
They Made Me a Criminal: starring John Garfield, Claude Rains, The Dead End Kids. Directed by Busby Berkeley. Written by Sig Herzig. Warner Bros., 1939, B&W, 92 mins.
I had never heard of this movie before; that’s weird, with it’s wonderful cast. It would be hard to believe that Claude Rains could be wrong in any movie, if I just hadn’t seen him singing and dancing in The Pied Piper of Hamelin!
I really enjoyed this, Ruth. I am certain that I have this movie in my (old, dusty, taped-from-TV VHS) collection, but I don’t remember it. You can bet that I’m going to dig it out, though. Great insights, great writing — this is my favorite line: “The film deals in disillusionment like it’s currency.” Priceless! (No pun intended.)
I agree that with this cast alone, I’m surprised it’s not a little more well known, though Claude Rains as a New York cop does sound off-kilter, to say the least. I would watch this, though. I had begun to develop a bit of an appreciation for Ann Sheridan in recent years. I imagine I’d like her in this.
The cast is fabulous. I didn’t even mention the Dead End Kids, and they’re terrific here. I hope you get the chance to see this one. I think you’d like its cynicism.
You had me at Leo Gorcey 🙂
Actually, I thought I HAD seen this movie, but reading this, I think I had it confused with another latter-era Dead End Kids movie before they devolved into the East Side Kids and later Bowery Boys.
I think this was one of the last films the Dead End Kids did for Warner Bros. I hope you get the opportunity to see it. Leo Gorcey is really good here.
I keep meaning to check him out in Four Daughters. Ever since I discovered it was remade as Young at Heart, I have wanted to see it as it’s my fave Doris Day movie.
Nice review full of surprises, Ruth!
I’ve never seen they made me a criminal, but I love the provocative title! Plus, I was truly shocked by the director! I would have never guessed!
The cast is really terrific. It would still be a fine film with a less talented cast – the script is that good – but it’s a treat to see this cast in their earlier days and how strong their Star Power is.
I took a whole class at uni on Gangster Film—they really were great, and I’m pretty sure we studied this one, although it was over 35 years ago. They definitely stand the test of time!
Love your description of the WB gangster film as a subgenre of its own–so true! It’s like they inhabit their own universe, with a particular language, look, and set of codes. And I also LOVE John Garfield, a great actor, who always dominated every scene he was in. Wish his career could have been longer…
Thanks so much for contributing to the blogathon! This is a wonderful write-up of an overlooked movie from the tail end of the gritty, fast-and-furious, crackling dialog era. There was nobody better than John Garfield at doing sympathetic, nearly down-and-out characters (until he became down-and-out in real life by being hounded out of the business by HUAC). With TCM featuring Warner Bros. this month, I’m thinking there’s a chance that They Made Me a Criminal is on the schedule.
That’s a real shame about Claude Rains, especially hearing that he was pretty much forced to take the role. The film still sounds interesting, though. I’ve never seen a Dead End Kids film but my father used to always reference them.
Yeah, it’s not Claude Rains’s finest hour. But there is a scene near the end of the film where he has kind of a bemused demeanour – as if he’s saying, “Can you believe these lines they’ve given me?” However, its still a terrific film, and I hope you get the chance to see it. The Dead End Kids were well cast here.
I love these Warner Bros. gangster flicks! Last summer I was binging on Bogart and got to see Ann Sheridan quite a bit. This is a good example of Garfield’s versatility. And it’s always fun seeing the Dead End Kids. Great review!
Binging on Bogart would be a great summer activity! These gangster flicks are good, aren’t they? My problem is, I start using the slang in everyday life and no one knows what I’m talking about. 😉
It seems odd to think of Claude Rains giving a bad performance, but as they say, stranger things have happened. That alone would make this worth watching. Well, that and John Garfield. 🙂
Yeah, I felt bad mentioning his performance. It’s not his fault; he makes the best of it. But he does offer some payback near the end of the film. In an implausible plot twist, Rains almost laughs as he delivers his lines, as if to say, “Can you believe this dialogue?” Still, it’s a good film, and I hope you get the chance to see it.
Thanks a lot for suggesting this 1. I had not seen it so I dug it out of the catacombs and watched it, twice because we wanted to see it too good stuff
Silver Screenings 
I had never heard of this movie before; that’s weird, with it’s wonderful cast. It would be hard to believe that Claude Rains could be wrong in any movie, if I just hadn’t seen him singing and dancing in The Pied Piper of Hamelin!
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Ha! I’ve seen The Pied Piper, and I know what you mean. His role in this Warner Bros film isn’t quite at that level, but it’s not a good fit for him.
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I really enjoyed this, Ruth. I am certain that I have this movie in my (old, dusty, taped-from-TV VHS) collection, but I don’t remember it. You can bet that I’m going to dig it out, though. Great insights, great writing — this is my favorite line: “The film deals in disillusionment like it’s currency.” Priceless! (No pun intended.)
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Haha! Good one.
Karen, you must, MUST see this film. I think you’ll like it.
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Hi Ruth. Long time no see.
I agree that with this cast alone, I’m surprised it’s not a little more well known, though Claude Rains as a New York cop does sound off-kilter, to say the least. I would watch this, though. I had begun to develop a bit of an appreciation for Ann Sheridan in recent years. I imagine I’d like her in this.
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Ann Sheridan sparkles in this film. She’s a scene-stealer, and the film really feels her absence. (I don’t want to say too much…)
Thanks for dropping by, Rich. It has been a long time, and I’ll be by to see what you’ve been up to.
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I’ve heard of this movie, but have yet to see it.
Another one for my growing list! 🙂
And what an amazing cast!
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The cast is fabulous. I didn’t even mention the Dead End Kids, and they’re terrific here. I hope you get the chance to see this one. I think you’d like its cynicism.
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You had me at Leo Gorcey 🙂
Actually, I thought I HAD seen this movie, but reading this, I think I had it confused with another latter-era Dead End Kids movie before they devolved into the East Side Kids and later Bowery Boys.
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I think this was one of the last films the Dead End Kids did for Warner Bros. I hope you get the opportunity to see it. Leo Gorcey is really good here.
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Really must see more of John Garfield…
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Yes, you must. He’s an exceptional actor. Even as a bad guy, he makes you feel sympathy for him.
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I keep meaning to check him out in Four Daughters. Ever since I discovered it was remade as Young at Heart, I have wanted to see it as it’s my fave Doris Day movie.
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You know I’ve never seen Young at Heart. I’m going to do a deep dive in my DVD collection to see if it’s hanging around here someplace…
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While I’m quite familiar with this genre, I actually never heard of this movie!
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Me either, until recently. It’s an enjoyable and memorable film. I hope you cross paths with it sometime.
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Nice review full of surprises, Ruth!
I’ve never seen they made me a criminal, but I love the provocative title! Plus, I was truly shocked by the director! I would have never guessed!
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I wouldn’t have guessed re: the director either, and throughout the movie I kept thinking, THIS is directed by Busby Berkeley?
You’ve got to see it, John. It’s well worth it.
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Not seen this film but with that cast it sounds brilliant!
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The cast is really terrific. It would still be a fine film with a less talented cast – the script is that good – but it’s a treat to see this cast in their earlier days and how strong their Star Power is.
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I took a whole class at uni on Gangster Film—they really were great, and I’m pretty sure we studied this one, although it was over 35 years ago. They definitely stand the test of time!
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These films really are timeless, aren’t they, even though the slang is outdated. They scripts aren’t blind to the human condition.
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I still love that cheesy old slang though!
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Haha! Me too!
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Love your description of the WB gangster film as a subgenre of its own–so true! It’s like they inhabit their own universe, with a particular language, look, and set of codes. And I also LOVE John Garfield, a great actor, who always dominated every scene he was in. Wish his career could have been longer…
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True. John Garfield’s career is one the great If Only’s of classic Hollywood, right?
Love your description of these gangster films as inhabiting their own universe. So true!
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Thanks so much for contributing to the blogathon! This is a wonderful write-up of an overlooked movie from the tail end of the gritty, fast-and-furious, crackling dialog era. There was nobody better than John Garfield at doing sympathetic, nearly down-and-out characters (until he became down-and-out in real life by being hounded out of the business by HUAC). With TCM featuring Warner Bros. this month, I’m thinking there’s a chance that They Made Me a Criminal is on the schedule.
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This movie really is overlooked, as you said. It’s a terrific film, and I wish I’d discivered it earlier.
Thanks for hosting this blogathon! It’s such a good idea.
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That’s a real shame about Claude Rains, especially hearing that he was pretty much forced to take the role. The film still sounds interesting, though. I’ve never seen a Dead End Kids film but my father used to always reference them.
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Yeah, it’s not Claude Rains’s finest hour. But there is a scene near the end of the film where he has kind of a bemused demeanour – as if he’s saying, “Can you believe these lines they’ve given me?” However, its still a terrific film, and I hope you get the chance to see it. The Dead End Kids were well cast here.
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I love these Warner Bros. gangster flicks! Last summer I was binging on Bogart and got to see Ann Sheridan quite a bit. This is a good example of Garfield’s versatility. And it’s always fun seeing the Dead End Kids. Great review!
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Binging on Bogart would be a great summer activity! These gangster flicks are good, aren’t they? My problem is, I start using the slang in everyday life and no one knows what I’m talking about. 😉
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It seems odd to think of Claude Rains giving a bad performance, but as they say, stranger things have happened. That alone would make this worth watching. Well, that and John Garfield. 🙂
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Yeah, I felt bad mentioning his performance. It’s not his fault; he makes the best of it. But he does offer some payback near the end of the film. In an implausible plot twist, Rains almost laughs as he delivers his lines, as if to say, “Can you believe this dialogue?” Still, it’s a good film, and I hope you get the chance to see it.
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Thanks a lot for suggesting this 1. I had not seen it so I dug it out of the catacombs and watched it, twice because we wanted to see it too good stuff
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That is AWESOME!! So glad (and relieved) you watched it & enjoyed. My work here is done. *wipes hands*
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They call people like you ‘good deed do-ers’ 🙂
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