Product Description

Blonde Crazy describes the perpetual mental state of James Cagney. A conniving bellhop, Cagney increases his bank account by using his blonde girlfriend Joan Blondell as a come-on to various "sugar daddies" whom he suckers out of their hard-earned cash. When Jimmy and Joan try their con game in New York, they fall victim to sharpster Louis Calhern. Angry that Cagney has lost their money, Joan marries straight-arrow Ray Milland (in one of his earliest roles) Jimmy tries to get back the dough by committing a holdup, and is promptly arrested. Joan, realizing that Cagney has landed in jail because of her, throws over her husband and vows to wait for Jimmy. Made in the pre-code era when Joan Blondell in the bathtub was sexy rather than sinful, Blonde Crazy is a window on a wise-cracking, flim-flamming, fascinating world.
Year: 1931
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Starring: James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis Calhern, Ray Milland, Guy Kibbee, Polly Walters, William Burress

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23513 in VHS
• Released on: 2000-07-05
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Black & White, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 79 minutes

Customer Reviews

So it's "dated". So what?
Mr. Maltin et al say this movie is dated, but that's a large part of the appeal of this movie. James Cagney is at his wisecracking best as Bert, a bellhop who aspires to be the ultimate con man, with his scrapbook of newspaper clippings of cons that "got pinched" in tow. Joan Blondell is cute as a button as sassy Ann, his partner in crime. These two together are dynamite onscreen. A must see for anyone who loves comedies from the 1930s. It's great to see all the period clothes and cars, and it's interesting to note the bathtub scene - obviously pre-code stuff. This movie is not meant to be taken seriously, just great fun. The fact that it IS dated is what makes it so watchable. What movies from the "golden age of Hollywood" AREN'T dated? It was indicative of the times. This movie is a classic, pure enjoyment. A must-see.

Cagney's charisma
This movie has it all: charm, wit, a clever plot, Joan Blondell in one of her best roles and the magnificent Jimmy Cagney who displays the full array of his talents. In 1931, Cagney was just beginning his rise as Warner's great gangster hero of the 30's, and his screen image hadn't quite yet been perfected. He's more funny here than he was later on, and the characteristic swagger and facial expressions aren't as much in evidence. You can see Jimmy working on his persona and it's pure pleasure to watch it in this film.

Cagney and Blondell play a couple of swindelers who scam anyone and everyone who comes down the pike. Though they are dual rip-off artists, you gotta love 'em, especially the wisecracking Cagney, who throws in one-liners which will convulse you. There's a lot of unintentional comedy which demonstrates that he and Joan possessed inherent comedic timing. Watch for the young Ray Milland, in one of his first screen roles of any note. He's as handsome as ever, but his acting ability certainly improved later on.

If you're new to Jimmy Cagney, this would be a fine first film to view, along with Pubic Enemy and The Roaring Twenties. His unique gifts as actor, dancer and public treasure are shown to their best advantage here. This is a fine early film with a wonderful performance by James Cagney.

The Age of Chiselry
James Cagney and Joan Blondell star as a couple of scam artists who work out detailed schemes to get money out of innocent (and not-so-innocent) people. It's Cagney's idea (of course) to get into this, and Blondell goes along because she falls in love with him. Before long, they're swindling swindlers and getting mixed up with people even shadier than them. A lot of the film is lighthearted and played for laughs, although it does have its dramatic moments. The con games they are involved in are a lot of fun to watch unfold, and as a pre-Code film, there are some interesting scenes, dialogue, and innuendo. Cagney and Blondell are a great team together. His talents are, of course, legendary, but Blondell is not as well known to audiences today. She's terrific in the film, leveling wisecracks with the best of them, yet quietly effective in the more serious scenes. The movie moves along quickly with lots of snappy dialogue (it is a Warner Brothers film afterall), and the two stars make it memorable. Oh, and for the record - I don't think I've ever seen another film where so many people get slapped in the face!!