Smart Money

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source: Smart Money

Smart Money

Nick Venizelos (Edward G. Robinson) is an immigrant Greek barber and an unrepentant gambler. His greatest weakness is beautiful blondes. In the city, he gets taken by grifter Sleepy Sam and his crew. With help from his buddy Jack (James Cagney), they turn the tables on the grifters. His big winnings become notorious and the city decides to crack down on the celebrated gambler. Nick takes in down-on-her-luck Irene Graham who is turned by the D.A. to go against him. I like this until the city gets involved. I don't see why a newspaper would write about a gambler. It'd be more realistic to write about his gambling parlor. The city is more likely to shut down a private establishment. Quite frankly, I would like Nick to remain a small time gambler and Sleepy Sam tracks him down to take revenge. That seems more powerful and more personal. This seems awkwardly unreal. Of course, EGR is an unique talent and he makes this works.

Smart Money offers viewers a chance to see two well-known stars of the 1930s gangster film cycle, together in action: Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. Mr. Robinson plays the lead in this picture, with Mr. Cagney offering excellent support. But the real treat, in this writer's opinion, is the script by John Bright. Mr. Bright previously wrote the book 'Beer and Blood' that serves as the basis for Public Enemy. Since Bright is writing about his experiences growing up in Chicago, he clearly knows these types of characters first-hand. As a result, there is an authenticity in this picture that makes it just as important as Public Enemy or Little Caesar. Though in the case of this film, the emphasis seems to be on humor, rather than violence.

The same year that he starred in Little Caesar and Five Star Final, Robinson made the Oscar-nominated film that shows the rise of a small-town gambler that goes to the big city and gets suckered. Six months later he is back vowing to never let that happen again and he rises to the top of the gambling world. With James Cagney (Yankee Doodle Dandy, Angels With Dirty faces)at his side to watch out for him, he manages to elude capture by the authorities - mainly because he has bought off most of them. But, as he says, he has a weakness for women - especially blonds. That will prove his down fall. It was not the "Little Caesar" Robinson, but a happy-go-lucky guy that just seemed to take things as they come. he was smiling and laying odds as they carted him off to prison. A funny film that is only marred by the racism that was typical of the time.

Smart Money (1931) *** (out of 4) Nick the Barber (Edward G. Robinson) is a whiz gambler but doesn't have the money to enter the big time. His friends (one played by James Cagney) eventually raise the money, which sends Nick to NYC where he soon takes over. This is a very entertaining early gem from Warner, which was clearly the studios attempt at making a gangster film with cards instead of alcohol. Robinson is wonderful in his role and gets to show off a charming and romantic side. Cagney is also very good in his minor role. Sadly this was the only film the two starred together. Boris Karloff also has a good, if small, uncredited role.

Edward G. Robinson and Jimmy Cagney team up in their only picture together(strangely enough). Robinson plays Nick, an immigrant Greek barber who loves to gamble and can't stay away from a poker game or betting. Cagney plays Jack, his good friend who is amused by him, and he and their other friends bankroll him in a big betting game in the city, though Nick's weakness for women gets him cleaned out in a rigged game, Nick decides to get even by joining in on the racket, which makes him rich at first, but of course things later go wrong, though Jack does what he can to help. The two top actors are once again the whole show in otherwise familiar picture that works because of their star-power.

Robinson is a barber who owns his own barbershop, but who goes off to gamble with some real card-sharks. He goes to the hotel where the action is and meets the girl at the magazine counter who tells him what room the game is in, after the desk clerk tells him nothing like that is allowed in this hotel. Little does Edward know what's in store for him. Of course Robinson, as the barber, is great, and James Cagney is a secondary character with not much development to make him really interesting. But, it's Robinson that makes this film worth watching. He has such presence, and this is only a sample of what is yet to come in his career. The only problem I have with it is that its ending is rather anti-climatic. But as usual Robinson has the flair to take it all in stride and he makes the viewer feel honored to watch a master of his craft at work.