Angels Wash Their Faces (1939)

Approved   |    |  Drama, Romance

Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) Poster

A young man just released from a reformatory moves to a new neighborhood with his sister, intending to start a new life. However, he gets mixed up with the local mob boss and corrupt ... See full summary »

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User Reviews
5 April 2005 | jotix100
7
| Arson in the slums
This 1939 film tried to capitalize on the much better Michael Curtiz's film "Angels with Dirty Faces". As directed by Ray Enright, the only interesting thing is how tamed these kids were in comparison with what's going on with the youth in America's inner cities today.

The film is only worth seeing because of the presence of Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan, who showed they were well paired together. The Dead End kids have larger parts as the plot concentrates on them rather than in the older folks.

In a way it's curious how arson was used in the same way some scrupulous landlords did in later years right here in New York. It was the quickest way to turn a property around never considering the social problems it created. In today's climate with so many guns around there is a new reality. The young kids of the story seemed mere pranksters rather than criminals. How times change!

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Warner Bros. Studios began to tire of the boys' antics during production of "Angels Wash Their Faces." Among their pranks: throwing a lit firecracker in Humphrey Bogart's dressing room, painting obscene murals on the office walls, and setting off fire sprinklers in the wardrobe department. The studio hired a former football player, Russ Saunders, in hopes of taming their unruly sextet. He ultimately had to use a fire hose on them. Ultimately the studio became fed up and dropped their contract.

Quotes

Pat Remson: I;ve come to the conclusion that all kids should be given a stretch in reform school... if they all come out as well as you did.

Goofs

The climax involves an act of vigilante justice that, while dramatically exciting, would never have been allowed by the authorities, even if they were sympathetic to the cause.

Crazy Credits

Although the film was marketed as "Angels Wash Their Faces," the main title reads "The Angels Wash Their Faces."

Soundtracks

A-Tisket A-Tasket
Traditional children's song
Played by an organ grinder and whistled by Jackie Searl when the boys encounter Alfred Goonplatz

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Drama | Romance

Details

Release Date:

26 August 1939

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

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