Fast paced, seminal gangster picture; von Sternberg's debut put him firmly on the map. Ben Hecht's story, his first for the screen, based on his own observations of Prohibition gangsters, winning him the first Oscar, is nothing spectacular as criminal 'Bull' Weed (George Bancroft) 'adopts' drunk 'Rolls-Royce' Clive Brook to become his right hand man, but the latter falls for the gangster's girl 'Feathers', Evelyn Brent. Good playing particularly from Owen, interesting touches e.g. kitten. Stylish e.g. shooting of ball scene.
Adapted by Charles Furthman (Jules' brother) and Robert Lee, titles George Marion Jr. Photographed by Bert Glennon. Paramount.
Where they're talking about the hearse that's coming to rescue him from jail, and we actually see the scene, though it hasn't happened - and indeed, doesn't happen - is very ahead of its time.
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