The Roaring Twenties is a hard-hitting crime drama that chronicles the rise and fall of three World War I veterans who return to civilian life and get caught up in the violent, bootlegging underworld of Prohibition-era America. The film centers on Eddie Bartlett, an everyman who becomes a powerful gangster but ultimately loses everything, illustrating the corruption and volatility of the era.
Genre: Crime drama, gangster film
Director: Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh (1887–1980) was an influential American director known for his dynamic storytelling and pioneering work in action and gangster films. Beginning his career as an actor and assistant to D. W. Griffith, Walsh transitioned to directing in the silent era and remained active through the 1960s. His notable works include “High Sierra” (1941), “White Heat” (1949), and “They Died with Their Boots On” (1941). Walsh was known for his robust, masculine style and for working with stars like James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Errol Flynn.
Star Cast:
- James Cagney as Eddie Bartlett
- Priscilla Lane as Jean Sherman
- Humphrey Bogart as George Hally
- Gladys George as Panama Smith
- Jeffrey Lynn as Lloyd Hart
Upon its release, The Roaring Twenties was praised for its gritty realism, taut direction, and strong performances, especially from James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. Critics and audiences alike responded to its fast-paced narrative and sobering portrayal of crime and disillusionment. It became one of the last great gangster films of the 1930s, marking a transitional point for the genre.
Fun Facts:
- The film was inspired by real-life events and figures of the Prohibition era, with elements drawn from newspaper columnist Mark Hellinger’s short stories and personal observations.
- It was the final gangster film for James Cagney until he returned to the genre a decade later with “White Heat” in 1949.
- The film’s ending, featuring Cagney’s character dying on the church steps, became iconic and is often cited in retrospectives on classic Hollywood cinema.
- Humphrey Bogart’s role as a cold-blooded gangster helped solidify his screen persona before his breakthrough as a leading man in the 1940s.
- The film is considered one of the best depictions of the rise-and-fall gangster narrative, influencing later works like “Scarface” and “The Godfather.”
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