Warners Wiseguys

As three of the most prominent actors of the early studio system, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart played an unparalleled role in the rise of the Warner Brothers Studio. These “Warners Wiseguys” are now virtually synonymous with the studio’s era of gritty gangster films. This study of their interwoven studio-contract careers highlights the similarities of their personalities and their struggles with harsh typecasting. It details and comments critically on each of their combined 112 Warners films. Complete with commentary from the author and other film buffs. An appendix provides a filmographic guide to the films discussed, including lists of primary actors, release dates, directorial credits, and running times for each film.

Scott Allen Nollen was educated in film and history at the University of Iowa. He has written and edited more than 40 books on the history of film, literature and music.

Scott Allen Nollen
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 372
Bibliographic Info: 129 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020 [2008]
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8516-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1004-7
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

Introduction: Like a Wiseguy      5

1. Little Tough Guys      9

2. Taking Over the “Talkie” Racket      15

3. Mugs’ Gallery      34

4. Playing All the Angles      57

5. Crime Must Not Pay      83

6. Real American Killer      99

7. Whaddaya Hear? Whaddaya Say?      137

8. Bogie in Purgatory      145

9. Eddie G., Boss of the Biopic      171

10. Perilous Pard and That Bastard Bogart      193

11. The Black Bird      214

12. Whacking the Axis      222

13. Bogie and Baby      255

14. Protecting the Goods      283

15. Cagney Apocalypse      303

16. Three Wiseguys Who Knew Jack      312

Appendix: The Warners Bros. Wiseguys Films      345

Chapter Notes      348

Bibliography      351

Index      353

• “Wonderful…a great job…readable”—Canyon News

• “Exceptional…most highly recommended”—Rogue Cinema