Bay Area Bloke

Pre-Code Gangster Movies

  • Scarface (1932) vs. Scarface (1983)

    Scarface (1932) vs. Scarface (1983)

    The first “Scarface,” released in 1932 and directed by Howard Hawks, is loosely based on the 1929 novel “Scarface” by Armitage Trail, which was actually a pseudonym for Maurice R. Coons. In this post, we will compare it with its 1983 remake directed by one of my favorite directors of all time, Brian De Palma. Read more

  • Movie Review: The Public Enemy (1931)

    Movie Review: The Public Enemy (1931)

    ‘The Public Enemy’ directed by William A. Wellman is one of a group of three pre-code movies that are considered the ancestors of the modern day gangster genre. ‘Little Caesar‘, that I reviewed in my previous post, is another movie in this trifecta. Both movies, ‘Little Caesar’ and ‘The Public Enemy’ were releases in 1931 Read more

  • Movie Review: Little Caesar (1931)

    Movie Review: Little Caesar (1931)

    Little Caesar, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, is part of a trifecta of movies that are considered among the most influential in the gangster genre. The movie, based on a book of the same name by W. R. Burnett, tells the saga of Caesar Enrico “Rico” Bandello, a petty crook who rises up the ranks in Read more