The St. Louis Kid

In practically every Jimmy Cagney film of the early through mid 1930s, he plays a fast-talking lovable jerk. However, in this film, he is so obnoxious and so pugnacious that the character actually crosses an invisible line for me--to being unlikable and even ridiculous. This is saying a lot because I generally love Cagney films and will put up with a lot from his loud-mouthed characters! In this case, he plays a guy that seems to be in court ALL THE TIME for assault. His character makes Mike Tyson's out of the ring behaviors seem restrained--he's that quick to fight. In fact, in the first half hour, he goes from one jail to another in the space of a day--he's that out of control. As a result, I kept thinking to myself that sooner or later, this character MUST be sent to prison for "hard time" instead of bouncing in and out of jail again and again. Plus, even if he never got sent away for a long stretch in prison, he should be in debt for the next 600 years due to his getting fined almost every day for fighting.

All this fighting just defies common sense--as does his behaviors when trying to woo the lady who hates his guts. He's in jail in a small town and he waits until the jailer falls asleep and lets himself out of jail so he can stalk and annoy her! And, naturally being a Hollywood film, he DOES charm the lady with his relentless and obnoxious ways! This pushiness is NOT vintage Cagney, but once again a super-obnoxious and ridiculous character--the guy once again crosses the line.

The rest of the film does get better once you get to the final third, but by then I was so irritated with this film (in particular Cagney's character), that I just wanted it all to end. This has to be among the worst Cagney films I have seen despite the improvement towards the end.

St. Louis Kid, The (1934)

*** (out of 4)

Exciting Warner Bros. "ripped from the headlines" film has James Cagney playing a truck driver who gets involved in a battle between farmers and the businessmen who aren't paying enough for milk. This is a fast, fun and action packed film, which is what audiences expected from a Cagney film. Cagney is very good in the role of the fast talking, quick to throw punches truck driver and the supporting cast helps him well.

Jimmy the Gent (1934)

** (out of 4)

A crooked businessman (James Cagney) pretends to go straight to win back his ex (Bette Davis). Considering the two leads and director Michael Curtiz, this was a major disappointment that really didn't work on any level. The only real reason to watch this is the performance from Cagney as well as his shaved head. Davis is very boring throughout and really brings down the film because she has no chemistry with Cagney.

"The St. Louis Kid" was just another routine "Warner Bros" film for James Cagney. By the time of this film's release in 1934, working relations between Cagney and the studio were becoming more strained. It wouldn't be long before Cagney filed his lawsuit against "Warner Bros." The story of the above film is about as simple as it gets. Cagney plays a trucker who takes on a rival trucking firm after they plan a hostile takeover. Real life friend and regular studio player, Allen Jenkins is on hand as the rather dumb sidekick. Patricia Ellis is a capable leading lady after she did well opposite Cagney in "The Picture Snatcher." The fans wanted to see our hero scrap with the villains and charm the ladies. We get plenty of both.

Trucker Eddie Kennedy (James Cagney) and his sidekick Buck (Allen Jenkins) get rear-ended by Ann Reid (Patricia Ellis) who starts picking a fight with them. Eddie gets thrown in jail for decking Mr. Brown who is the manager at the diary plant. He ingratiates himself with the judge by railing against the diary and the local farmers start a boycott.

There is some good light fun for awhile with Cagney's antics. Then the movie goes a bit darker with the strike. The change of tone does leave the rest of the movie with depressed humor. I also don't know why Eddie spends most of the movie in a suit. He would be funnier as an everyman character and a working class hero. All in all, there are some fun to be had at least for awhile.

Well here again in this film we have the lovable James Cagney playing a tough guy come foolhardy character and it's a short 67 minute ride full of giggles, slaps and even a touch of the charisma.

It's the story of two guys Cagney and Alan Jenkins who drive trucks delivering goods and along the way trouble finds them and several jail sessions occur which are humerous scenes in themselves. Cagney during all this catches the blonde and a little romance ties it all in.

The pairing of cagney and Jenkins is great, they bounce of each other in this 1930s print.

Overall this film is fun, entertaining and a joy to watch.