Angels with Dirty Faces is a 1938 American crime drama film directed by Michael Curtiz for Warner Brothers. It stars James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, The Dead End Kids, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Bancroft. The screenplay was written by John Wexley and Warren Duff based on the story by Rowland Brown. The film chronicles the relationship of the notorious gangster William "Rocky" Sullivan with his childhood friend and now-priest Father Jerry Connolly. After spending three years in prison for armed robbery, Rocky intends to collect $100,000 from his co-conspirator Jim Frazier, a mob lawyer. All the while, Father Connolly tries to prevent a group of youths from falling under Rocky's influence.
Newspaper ad in 1939
Cagney in the famous final walk
Sheridan and Cagney, circa. 1938
Gorcey (left) and Cagney (right) in the basement scene, with Billy Halop in the background
Michael Curtiz was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed classic films from the silent era and numerous others during
Hollywood's Golden Age, when the studio system was prevalent.
Curtiz c. 1928
Movie poster, 1924
1928 Curtiz film
Curtiz (r) with Ilya Tolstoy in 1927