BULLETS OR BALLOTS (Warner Brothers, 1936), directed by William Keighley, stars Edward G. Robinson in a crime drama by which he plays a man on both sides of law and disorder. Following James Cagney's lead for 'G' MEN (1935), by which movie tough guy becomes a man against crime, Robinson breaks away from his usual gangster image to see how it goes facing mobsters rather than playing one. Either way, Robinson portrays his role effectively and believably, keeping his tough guy image intact. Being his first role opposite Joan Blondell (they didn't share the same film again until 1965's THE CINCINNATI KID starring Steve McQueen), BULLETS OR BALLOTS is known mostly as a Robinson crime caper more than anything else. It also marked his first of five pairings opposite Humphrey Bogart, whose previous breakthrough performance in THE PETRIFIED FOREST (1936) made a lasting impression playing a wanted killer, Duke Mantee. Not yet the leading man or major super star he was to become in the 1940s, Bogart's name, billed under Robinson, Blondell and Barton MacLane, it's MacLane, another movie tough guy, who gets more to do here, following his impressive gangster parody though not as intense as in Cagney's 'G' MEN.
Set in New York City, the story begins with Nick "Bugs" Fenner (Humphrey Bogart) and his mob boss, Al Kruger (Barton MacLane) attending the movie house to watch a newsreel,"Syndicate of Crime," where Kruger, a notorious gangster arrested eleven times but always set free, is exposed by Ward Bryant, a vice crusader. Though warned to stay away from Bryant, Fenner goes against orders from Kruger, tracks down Bryant and guns him down. Johnny Bryant (Edward G. Robinson), a demoted detective working under his friend, Captain Dan McLaren (Joseph King) waits for McLaren's job following his promotion. Having been asked numerous times by Kruger, whom he likes and respects, to join his outfit, Johnny refuses. Unable to acquire the name of the head crime boss, McLaren gets his promotion from the force. His first assignment is a police department cleanup, with Johnny one of the first to be dismissed. Lee Morgan (Joan Blondell), a night club operator and good friend of Johnny's, offers to help by having him become her partner in the numbers game. Even though it's doing well in both the Bronx and Harlem, Johnny refuses. While attending the fights at Madison Square Garden, Johnny shows his "appreciation" to McLaren by socking him publicly in the jaw. Kruger witnesses this. After the police escort Johnny to the streets, Kruger offers Johnny a position to become his right-hand man. This time Johnny accepts. Problems arise with Johnny convincing Kruger's mob he's now in with them. They soon win his confidence except from Fenner ("One a cop, always a cop."), who has him personally investigated against Kruger's orders. Johnny's other problem is losing his friendship and respect from Lee, believing him responsible for having Fenner taking control of her numbers game. Tensions build with Johnny's promotion in a position much wanted by Fenner. Others in the cast include Frank McHugh (Herman, the forgetful one); George E. Stone ("Wires"); Louise Beavers (Nellie LeFleur); with Henry Kolker, Gilbert Emery and Herbert Rawlinson among others.
Though not in the same class as some of the other crime classics of its 1930s, BULLETS OR BALLOTS is a pleasing addition to the crime genre. Leisurely paced and lacking underscoring of mood music but makes up for it through its tense climax. Robinson and Bogart have little to do together, but when they're together, chemistry builds. Blondell (with darker hair color this time around) makes a good screen presence. Her involvement with Robinson is more friendship than romantic. Reportedly suggested on an actual incident, the formula provided makes this a very watchable 81-minute crime drama.
Available on home video and DVD, BULLETS OR BALLOTS can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (***1/2)
Set in New York City, the story begins with Nick "Bugs" Fenner (Humphrey Bogart) and his mob boss, Al Kruger (Barton MacLane) attending the movie house to watch a newsreel,"Syndicate of Crime," where Kruger, a notorious gangster arrested eleven times but always set free, is exposed by Ward Bryant, a vice crusader. Though warned to stay away from Bryant, Fenner goes against orders from Kruger, tracks down Bryant and guns him down. Johnny Bryant (Edward G. Robinson), a demoted detective working under his friend, Captain Dan McLaren (Joseph King) waits for McLaren's job following his promotion. Having been asked numerous times by Kruger, whom he likes and respects, to join his outfit, Johnny refuses. Unable to acquire the name of the head crime boss, McLaren gets his promotion from the force. His first assignment is a police department cleanup, with Johnny one of the first to be dismissed. Lee Morgan (Joan Blondell), a night club operator and good friend of Johnny's, offers to help by having him become her partner in the numbers game. Even though it's doing well in both the Bronx and Harlem, Johnny refuses. While attending the fights at Madison Square Garden, Johnny shows his "appreciation" to McLaren by socking him publicly in the jaw. Kruger witnesses this. After the police escort Johnny to the streets, Kruger offers Johnny a position to become his right-hand man. This time Johnny accepts. Problems arise with Johnny convincing Kruger's mob he's now in with them. They soon win his confidence except from Fenner ("One a cop, always a cop."), who has him personally investigated against Kruger's orders. Johnny's other problem is losing his friendship and respect from Lee, believing him responsible for having Fenner taking control of her numbers game. Tensions build with Johnny's promotion in a position much wanted by Fenner. Others in the cast include Frank McHugh (Herman, the forgetful one); George E. Stone ("Wires"); Louise Beavers (Nellie LeFleur); with Henry Kolker, Gilbert Emery and Herbert Rawlinson among others.
Though not in the same class as some of the other crime classics of its 1930s, BULLETS OR BALLOTS is a pleasing addition to the crime genre. Leisurely paced and lacking underscoring of mood music but makes up for it through its tense climax. Robinson and Bogart have little to do together, but when they're together, chemistry builds. Blondell (with darker hair color this time around) makes a good screen presence. Her involvement with Robinson is more friendship than romantic. Reportedly suggested on an actual incident, the formula provided makes this a very watchable 81-minute crime drama.
Available on home video and DVD, BULLETS OR BALLOTS can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (***1/2)