Blonde Crazy

"Ho-nee! " That's crazy Jimmy Cagney calling to his partner Joan Blondell in this wacky early-30s comedy-drama which reminded a bit, attitude-wise, with a film he did the following year called "Lady Killer."

It also was typical Cagney: a very cocky con man (as a bellhop!) and fun-to- watch character who will do and say about anything. The dialog between he and Blondell in this film is a real hoot. It features a lot of the expressions of this time period.

Louis Calhern plays a competing con man who swindles Cagney, but then gets taken himself. A very young Ray Milland, in one of his first credited appearances, is so young I didn't know it was him, but recognized the voice. He looked a lot like Bob Cummings.

Not a great film but entertaining for the part, as Cagney films usually were. Every time he yells "Ho-nee!" I laugh out loud. Ya gotta love him!

Bert Harris (James Cagney) is a bellhop at a small town hotel. When a looker (Joan Blondell as Anne Roberts) arrives, he arranges for her employment in the housekeeping department.

Bert is a schemer who is loose with the truth and has a love of the ladies. He says, "The world owes me a living." Despite the fact Bert is "not a collar ad", Anne is intrigued by his persona. But she is a good girl, immune to his advances. Still, they become partners and use a small-time frame to finance their move to a larger city.

Being a fan of films about grifting, I really enjoy this film, which includes multiple examples of the con. The stakes get higher as the story continues. One con is reminiscent of "The Sting".

It is also fun to watch pre-Code films, with their peculiar characteristics and their vernacular. Bert, though a criminal, displays an odd code of ethics that is central to the story, though unacceptable by Hays' standards.

Cagney displays his usual bluster and bravado. Blondell is charming. Watch for the very young Ray Milland.

Aside from an ending that just seemed too vague and too abrupt, this is a very little enjoyable film from Warner Brothers. In some ways, it's very much a Pre-Code style film but it's not as salacious as some of the more extreme films during the era. Sure, there is a some sexual innuendo and the main characters are awfully amoral, but it other ways things are bizarrely chaste--and it's something you really need to see to appreciate.

The film begins with Ann (Joan Blondell) looking for a job at a hotel. A slick bellboy, Bert (James Cagney) helps her get a job and almost immediately begins pawing at her. He's also a guy who is a bit of a huckster--and he schemes and pulls off petty grifter schemes for extra money. Want an example of the sort of dialog in this part of the film?

Bert Harris: Now, you play ball with me... and your worrying days will be over.

Ann Roberts: Yeah? How about the nights?

Bert Harris: (smirks) Well, I'll see what I can do about those too, honey!

As I said, there is a lot of innuendo. However, unlike films like "Red- Headed Woman" and "Platinum Blonde", the leading lady in this one seems to have her virtue intact throughout the film. Ann is willing to go along with some of Bert's schemes but keeps him at a distance throughout the film.

Eventually, the pair get tired of penny ante stakes and quite their jobs to travel the country cheating boobs here and there. The trouble is that in the process, the pair obviously become quite fond of each other. But Ann doesn't want this sort of life forever and eventually falls for a stockbroker (Ray Milland). What's in store for Bert? Well, watch the film for the super-bizarro ending to see for yourself. I don't want to give it away but suffice to say it seems to come from out of no where and the ending of the film is incredibly vague and a bit unsatisfying-- hence my score of only 7 when it easily could have earned a higher rating up until then.

The overall moral of the film seems to be EVERYONE is corrupt and what you get out of life is what you can take--a thoroughly Pre-Code moral in every way! Still, despite its dubious life lesson, the film is well acted and paced, quite enjoyable to watch and offers Cagney a part to play one of his strangest characters. This isn't the nasty criminal sort he played in "Public Enemy" nor the heroic sort he played in Post- Code films, that's for sure.

The idea for 'Blonde Crazy' sounded very interesting and gave the impression that it would be a very entertaining film if done right. Have for a while liked both James Cagney and Joan Blondell, both had a fair share of great performances under their belt, and they showed that when together that they sparkled so well. Roy Del Ruth was a competent director who did make some enjoyable films, saw 'Employees Entrance' recently and loved it and 'On Moonlight Bay' is still delightful.

Seeing Ray Milland in such an early role before he hit his peak was an interest point too. On the most part, 'Blonde Crazy' was a hugely enjoyable film with terrific performances from the two stars. For me this is one of Del Ruth's better films despite not being perfect, and really admired how daring a lot of it was. For me, the first half is better than the second (which is still very watchable). Did prefer the more witty, faster paced and risque quality of the first half, which didn't take itself seriously like some of the second half did.

'Blonde Crazy' is well made visually, especially the clever and atmospheric photography that still looks pretty pristine now. It is directed at a fast and furious pace by Del Ruth, without feeling muddled or too hasty. Absolutely loved the sass of the script, full of razor sharp wit and a surprising daring quality that one doesn't expect to this extent even at that time (where you could get away with much more before the Code was enforced around the mid-30s).

Furthermore, the story is on the silly side but never feels dull or padded, nor does it feel convoluted, and enlivened by the sizzling chemistry between Cagney and Blondell. The bathtub scene makes the jaw drop. Cagney and Blondell both give scorching performances, especially Blondell though Cagney's comic timing really shines in the first half, and Louis Calhern gives distinguished support. Most of the rest of the cast do very well though their characters don't have as much meat.

On the other hand, 'Blonde Crazy', despite being suspenseful and entertaining still, takes itself a little too seriously in the second half and doesn't have the same amount of the sass, wit and risque-ness of the first half. A very young Milland comes over as stiff and inexperienced-looking.

Also found the ending a bit too abrupt and like the film was trying to wrap things up too hastily and neatly.

Concluding, hugely enjoyable. 8/10

Bellhop James Cagney and hotel maid Joan Blondell have a lot of ambitions during Depression Era America. They've seen the American dream go belly up on Wall Street, seen lots of people lose everything they have to crooks and chiselers and have decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And Cagney has entitled what he considers the Depression to be, the age of chiselry.

These two are obviously so suited for each other. But for what each considers practical reasons they hook up with other people. Cagney hero worships noted confidence man Louis Calhern and Blondell takes a shine to polished and dapper Ray Milland, a wall street broker. Each becomes quite disillusioned.

This is a good piece of historic Americana, depression era. People like Cagney and Blondell lost a lot of ideals in that period and it rings true even today. Later on Preston Sturges would take some of the same themes in Blonde Crazy and use them in a more comedic way. But this film is still pretty good on its own merits.