Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 3

A box full of crooks, molls and gats

The natural problem with Warner Bros. Gangsters Collection, Volume 3 is that most of the big movies have already been included in the first two volumes. In particular, the first set included nothing but classics: Little Caesar, The Public Enemy, White Heat and others. The second set (originally called the "Tough Guys" set) was nearly as good, but with less true classics. The third set has still less well-known movies, but still is a nice sextet of movies featuring the big gangster stars of the 1930s and `40s, particularly Bogart, Cagney and Robinson.

Chronologically, the first movie is Smart Money, most noted for being the only movie with both James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson. It isn't a co-billing, though: made before Public Enemy made Cagney a star, it has Robinson in the lead as a skilled gambler with a weakness for blondes. Though not really a comedy, it does have a lighter tone and a pre-Code sensibility.

Lady Killer is more comic, with Cagney rising from theater usher to movie star while getting involved with gangsters along the way. Similarly, Picture Snatcher has ex-con Cagney becoming successful as a newspaper photographer; complications ensue when he falls for the daughter of the cop who once put him away.

The Mayor of Hell is the final Cagney movie, in which he is a party boss who is rewarded with a job as a commisioner of a reform school. The school is run by a cruel warden who is surprised when Cagney becomes an actual reformer. Though Cagney is the star, he is in more of a supporting role, with the kids taking the lead.

Black Legion is one of Bogart's first starring vehicles. He is a generally nice family man until he loses out on a promotion at his plant. Though the other man was more deserving, Bogart begins to blame the man's foreigness and soon joins the title organization, a version of the Ku Klux Klan. The Legion gives Bogie some new opportunities, but he realizes the price is greater than expected. Ironically, this anti-prejudice message movie is accompanied by a short subject about the Civil War that glorifies Stonewall Jackson and the South.

The final movie is another comedy, Black Orchid, with Robinson as a gangster who decides to retire and get himself some "class". Unfortunately, all he does is lose all his money, forcing him to go back into his old profession. His successor, played by Bogart, has other ideas, and eventually Robinson is forced to take refuge at a monastery where he will learn some important lessons.

Okay, these movies may not be classics, but they are all four-star material, and the set as a whole is enhanced by lots of extras, most notably the commentaries on all the movies and the "Warner Night at the Movies" feature that allows you to watch an old movie preview, newsreel, short subject and cartoon before the movie itself kicks in. If you have enjoyed the earlier Gangster sets, this one is definitely worth picking up. December 28, 2008

A terrific collection of "B" thrillers

If like me you have a deep affection for those lurid Warners gangster flicks, you'll love these movies. There's more to Cagney, Bogie and Robinson than today's youngsters can appreciate. Take "Smart Money", perhaps the best of the collection, This is one of those snappy gems only the WB could produce. There's not a single bomb in this box. Highly recommended! September 30, 2008

Entertainment Excellence!

DVD box set, Warner Home Video. Six crisp, clean prints! And was I thrilled to find all six with commentaries! Not to mention shorts, vintage cartoons, trailers -- first rate quality all the way! Solid entertainment! April 18, 2008

Warner Gangster Volume 3

Warner's continues to lead the way with the release of classic films onto dvd and this box set is no exception. 2008 marks the 85th anniversary of the founding of the company and this collection has been released to coincide with this monumental event. While many of the films may be unfamiliar to mainstream audiences, for those who know and love classic Hollywood this box set will not disappoint.
Four of the six fims are displays of james Cagney's wit, grace, and sheer electricity onscreen. Smart Money is the only film that Cagney and Robinson made together and it was made even before Cagney had emerged as a major star at Warners. Ladykiller is a great example of Hollywood parodying itself (Cagney works as an usher at the Strand theater, becomes a low budget actor and then a star, has contract problems with the studios).
The black legion demonstrates the power and anguish of Bogie before he becomes a major star in the 1940s. Together these fims demonstrate why Warner's was the studio of the people. March 31, 2008

What is up with the product discription stated above?

Above in the "product discription"(Editorial Reviews) they have (on their long review) "The Heart is the Lonely Hunter" where is that in this box set. They also forget the discription for "Brother Orchid". ??

It is between "Lady Killer" and "Smart Money" as follows....The Heart is a Lonely Hunter stars Alan Arkin as John Singer, who is deaf. Singer moves from a small town in order to be close to his institutionalized deaf and mentally impaired friend Antonapoulos (Chuck McCann). Singer rents a room with a family whose father, Mr. Kelly (Biff McGuire), is unable to earn a living due to a serious injury. His teen-aged daughter Mick (Sondra Locke, in her film debut) is at first resentful of Singer's presence, but he ingratiates himself by introducing her to classical music (which he can "feel," if not hear). Singer likewise tries to brighten the lives of such unfortunates as alcoholic Blount (Stacy Keach Jr., also making his first film appearance), dying black doctor Copeland (Percy Rodriguez), and Copeland's poverty-stricken daughter (Cicely Tyson). ?????????? If you don't see it they removed it. But as of 27 Jan 08 the above was there. Someone goofed!! January 29, 2008

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