Al Caponesque Bull Weed is a mob kingpin with a big appetite for action. But like Capone who supported soup kitchens in the depression Bull can be charitable and he takes "part time lawyer, full time drunk" Rolls Royce Wensel (Clive Brook) out of the gutter and puts him on his feet again. Weed's girl Feathers (Evelyn Brent) falls for RR but he's not about to turn on his benefactor. Meanwhile foe Buck Mulligan seethes with rage and revenge.
This 1927 silent drips with nefarious ambiance under the chiaroscuro imagery of Josef Von Sternberg that he would be dazzling Marlene Dietrich with in the few short years ahead. Ripped from today's (1927) headlines with Capone and mobster, florist Dean O'Banion resemblances it depicts a wild and gaudy era of corruption and conspicuous consumption, epitomized by a "Mob Ball" the equal of Von Stroheim, evocative of the roaring 20s while made during the roaring 20s. It is no surprise the author is by street saavy Ben Hecht.
George Bancroft may be sentenced to hang but overall is a likable lug with an intimidating face that Von Sternberg does some fine portraiture work with. But he along with Ed Kohler as Buck tend to go over the top most of the way. Clive Brook as the conflicted Roll's shines in a well modulated performance while beautiful flapper Evelyn Brent matures with conviction.
It does have its share of gaping holes but they are quickly patched by Von Sternberg with a look that would inform the world of filmmaking and ( I know, it isn't a genre) film noir for decades to come.
This 1927 silent drips with nefarious ambiance under the chiaroscuro imagery of Josef Von Sternberg that he would be dazzling Marlene Dietrich with in the few short years ahead. Ripped from today's (1927) headlines with Capone and mobster, florist Dean O'Banion resemblances it depicts a wild and gaudy era of corruption and conspicuous consumption, epitomized by a "Mob Ball" the equal of Von Stroheim, evocative of the roaring 20s while made during the roaring 20s. It is no surprise the author is by street saavy Ben Hecht.
George Bancroft may be sentenced to hang but overall is a likable lug with an intimidating face that Von Sternberg does some fine portraiture work with. But he along with Ed Kohler as Buck tend to go over the top most of the way. Clive Brook as the conflicted Roll's shines in a well modulated performance while beautiful flapper Evelyn Brent matures with conviction.
It does have its share of gaping holes but they are quickly patched by Von Sternberg with a look that would inform the world of filmmaking and ( I know, it isn't a genre) film noir for decades to come.