Smart Money (1931)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

Kubec Glasmon (screen story) &
John Bright (screen story) ...

Release Date:

11 July 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Immigrant Greek barber has uncommon skills in playing poker and soon rises in the seedy world of illegal gambling, but pretty blondes remain his Achilles' heel.

Plot Keywords:

Barber | Blonde | Gambling | Poker | Grifter

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Edward G. Robinson	...	Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos
James Cagney	...	Jack
Margaret Livingston	...	Irene Graham
Ralf Harolde	...	Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short
Noel Francis	...	Marie (Sleepy Sam's girl)
Evalyn Knapp	...	District Attorney's girl
Maurice Black	...	Greek barber
Billy House	...	Irontown salesman-gambler (as William House)
Paul Porcasi	...	Alexander Amenoppopolus
Gladys Lloyd	...	Second cigar stand clerk
Polly Walters	...	Lola (manicurist)

Runtime:

USA:81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Vitaphone

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2308-R, 26 May 1936 for re-release)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Original opening credits and underlying music were replaced during the 1940s for an intended re-release, and are still in place on surviving material.

Goofs:

Factual errors: According to video commentators Ursini and Silver, Robinson starred as Luis Pasteur, a role that was played by Paul Muni. Also they credit "Scarface" as a Universal picture. It was actually a Caddo Picture released by United Artists.

Quotes:

Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos: [inquiring at cigar stand] Say, uh, what are those things for?
Marie: Poker dice.
Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos: Oh, you gamble with them?
Marie: Yes, sir, it's a dollar if you lose, and if you win, you get $2 worth of merchandise.
Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos: [looking at her laciviously] Anything behind the counter?
Marie: [coyly] Anything in merchandise.
Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos: Heh, heh, well, you're a cute little package.
[he chuckles]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in James Cagney: Top of the World (1992) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Auld Lang Syne

Robinson Riveting Once More; Cagney A Bonus In Here

Two very famous little guys playing cocky guys - Edward G. Robinson and Jimmy Cagney; who could ask for anything more? Well, maybe a little more Cagney, as he is just a supporting player here, but overall I had no complaints watching this 1931 film.

Robinson was great in the lead as "Nick the Barber," (full name "Nick Venizelos.") Cagney is "Jack," an old friend who is employed by Nick. The Greek is a barber, but he's really a full-time gambler or evolves into that role quickly during this story. He goes from small-town hick to big city boss but the road is bumpy along the way. He gets taken by the big crook in town twice, gets hustled by a couple of blondes (Nick's real weakness) but overcomes all of them to be gambling czar.

After Nick's successful jaunts at revenge are completed, the last third of the film is devoted to the city's district attorney trying to get some goods on Nick and put him away and get him out of his city.

This movie, as expected considering the year it was made, is very dated but another of those early '30s films that has a lot of snap, crackle and pop to it. The dialog is crisp and edgy with the expressions of the day and everybody is just nasty enough to make them all interesting characters.

Robinson, as in "Little Caesar," is super in here, much like the cocky gangster roles Cagney also would play in the same period ("The Public Enemy," "Lady Killer," etc.).

The blondes all look similar with the short curly hair of the period and the sexism, racism and other "isms" are all on display here in this fun "gangster movie." The ending was odd but that, too, was the mark of these Pre-Code films which certainly were different.

Now that it's out on DVD, check this film out if you're a fan of the early crime genre, or a fan of Robinson's. You won't be disappointed.