Dillinger (1945)
Genre: Crime / Biography
Duration: 70 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Max Nosseck
Stars: Lawrence Tierney, Edmund Lowe and Anne Jeffreys
IMDb score:
6,5 (2.351)
Releasedate: 25 April 1945
Dillinger plot
"A Cold Blooded Bandit and a Hot Blooded Blonde ... who stopped at Nothing!"
John Dillinger (Lawrence Tierney), a petty criminal who becomes Public Enemy Number One through a bank robbery.
Actors and actresses
Specs Green
Helen Rogers
Marco Minelli
Doc Madison
Kirk Otto
Mrs. Otto
Mr. Otto
Blonde
John Dillinger
Tony
Reviews & comments
MNV2
-
- 6932 messages
- 1901 votes
A decent film noir, though it was another typical story I've seen more of. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the rise and fall of public enemy number one, John Dillinger, a gangster from the early 1930s. I found the acting mediocre, with only Anne Jeffreys standing out as Helen Rogers, John's wife. The film also contains some nice references to early 1930s cinema (the Walt Disney cartoons).
3.0 stars
Translated from Dutch · View original
mrklm
-
- 11629 messages
- 10041 votes
A highly successful B-movie about the rise and fall of John Dillinger, Public Enemy Number 1 until his death in 1934 while trying to escape the police who, on a tip from madam Sage, were waiting for him outside a movie theater. The low budget means there's only a limited amount of action. Most of the crimes are depicted in short montages, sometimes incorporating footage from other films, such as "You Only Live Once." Lawrence Tierney is very strong in the lead role, and there's good supporting acting, including from Edmund Lowe (as "Specs," the leader of a gang Dillinger joins) and Elisha Cook Jr. (as one of the gang members). This is a compact, well-written biography with a fast pace and solid direction. A scene where Dillinger confronts a waiter who previously taunted him for having no money is a highlight, as is the scene with the Carol Singers on Christmas Eve. A modest, yet beautiful gem.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
-
- 2301 messages
- 2092 votes
The very first film that, to a greater or lesser extent, attempted to tell the life story of the notorious gangster John Dillinger was this Monogram production. The real John Dillinger's heyday took place in 1933-34, when he and his gang robbed twelve banks. The film is conceived as a flashback to that period, beginning and ending at the cinema, thus closing a circle. It's a story of the rise and fall of a criminal, without unnecessary sentimentality and with a strong emphasis on action. Screeching tires and exploding safes abound. Lawrence Tierney has a very menacing, sinister presence and is perfectly suited for the lead role. The interactions within the gang depict an internal power struggle, where betrayal, revenge, jealousy, and suspicion are commonplace. "One happy family," as the film cynically puts it.
The film's premise is utterly serious. Unlike many other (crime) productions of the time, there's not a shred of humor here, just Tierney's menacing face. Perhaps that was an obvious choice, given the biographical story with real victims. It seems like a B-movie, but on the other hand, it did receive an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay, and we can also enjoy the score by the renowned Dimitri Tiomkin. Excellent entertainment, and especially worth seeing for Lawrence Tierney's charisma.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Corporate & Media
Realtimes Network
Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31(315)-764002
