Gangs of New York

Charles Bickford is Rocky Thorpe, a gang leader who's been running his operations from prison. He's about to be released, but the authorities have worked up a swindle. They keep him in a hidden cell in warden Jonathan Hale's office, while a look-alike cop (also played by Bickford, naturally) is released, takes over his gang and prepares to swindle the other gang leaders into incriminating themselves. Only girlfriend Wynne Gibson suspects anything is wrong, but she figures five years in prison can change a man,.. at first.

James Cruze's penultimate movie is a pretty good crime adventure, with Bickford growling his way through his lines, and a strong, under ranked fight scene at the end. Ann Dvorak plays Bickford's actual love interest in this movie; she appears initially to ask that Bickford let her brother out of the rackets.

It's an ambitious movie from Republic. Although the script slides over some issues in putting together the plot, it winds up being the equivalent of a Warner Brothers B crime movie of the era. Samuel Fuller had a hand in the script, which should make it interesting for those who enjoy his tough movies.

Sometimes when you watch an old movie, you just have to suspend disbelief just a bit—and if you can't, you probably won't enjoy the film. "The Gangs of New York" is exactly such a film. It uses one of the oldest clichés in movie—the identical stranger. But, providing you can look past this, it's a dandy and entertaining picture.

When the film begins, you learn that although the evil mobster, Rocky, is in prison, he's still running his criminal empire—and the police seem unable to stop them. But, when it just happens that there is an identical copy of Rocky and he works for the police, they decide to release the fake Rocky and have him infiltrate the mob and get evidence on their actions. However, because he doesn't know everything the real Rocky is supposed to know and because he doesn't act like the old Rocky, some of the gang becomes suspicious. But, when the REAL Rocky escapes , you know that something bad will happen…and fast!

Yes, I know it's impossible to have a man look EXACTLY like another as well as sound EXACTLY like him, but it works. Much of it is because Charles Bickford was great in the leading roles. He was fun to watch and his gangster ways were pretty funny because they were so extreme. Also, the writing (despite the clichéd plot) was quite good—especially the dialog. It's actually one of the better Republic B-movies from the era. Well worth seeing because it's so much fun.

Charles Bickford looks and sounds like a Warner Brothers gangster, and he is accompanied by some other fine actors, including Harold Huber, Alan Baxter, and Maxie Rosenbloom, as Republic tries its hand in the genre.

And plays it pretty well.

"Gangs," from an original story by Sam Fuller, is well directed by James Cruze.

There's a fair print at YouTube and it's worth watching.

Charles Bickford (Rocky) looks Irish. And he plays an Irish mafia boss in New York who gets released after 5 years to get straight back into hoodlum killing activities. However, on his release, he is put into a private cell and a double who works for the police is sent undercover in his place to infiltrate his gang and bring all criminal behaviour to an end. However, whilst he has the looks and attitude, he must also convince the gang members, the gangster's girlfriend Wynne Gibson (Orchid) and her dog that he is the genuine person. People gradually begin to question his authenticity and there is always the possibility that the real gangster will break free and turn up on the scene. Guess what?

Bickford has a dual role in this film which gets better as it goes on. It's nothing earth-shatteringly good - it's ok. You can pretty much tell what is going to happen and that is exactly what happens. We have some shooting at the end and there are no surprises. It's a straightforward narrative. Shame that henchman Harold Huber (Panatella) plays for comedy but I guess it humanizes him more than the other cardboard cut-out gangster associates. The best tension comes from Wynne Gibson and the new girl on the block Ann Dvorak (Connie) in their scenes together - you can see Gibson is up for a fight. It would also have been good to see Michael Flatley doing some Irish dancing and some leprechauns drinking Guinness for added authenticity. As it stands, the film is pretty unbelievable.

Charles Bickford doubles up nicely here as nasty mob boss "Rocky" and as his cop doppelgänger "Franklin" in this well paced and quite enjoyable crime thriller. Try as they might, the authorities cannot find a way to keep the presently incarcerated "Rocky" in jail, so they resort to swapping him for a lookalike, days before his release from prison, in the hope that the new iteration can help garner evidence to finally put an end to activities of the criminal fraternities running the city with impunity. There is a functional supporting cast to help this short film along, but mainly it's the strong effort from the star that maintains a fair degree of momentum as he must try and manoeuvre friend and foe before his precarious status is discovered by his gal or one of his cohorts. Passes an hour well, this - well worth an hour.