The Roaring Twenties is an American Crime Thriller film that was released in the year 1939. Directed by Raoul Walsh, the film depicts the periods between 1919 and 1933. It shows the journey of three men and depicts their experiences during some of the pivotal instances during that era, such as the 1929 Stock Market Crash and Prohibition Era Violence.
Based on Mark Hellinger’s short story The World Moves On, the film is known to be a classic in the crime films genre. Jack L Warner wrote the screenplay, and it is one of the critically acclaimed films of its time.
Why is the Film Considered a Masterpiece?
The film depicts the post-world war scene where people have still not settled in and lived in the horrific world war. The social history that the film intends to depict and the recreation of the Jazz Age, the film has a broad and eulogistic perspective, set in within a historical framework. The realistic nature of the film makes it worth watching. The makers have used documentary footages and newspapers clippings of the time to give a truth appeal to the audience.
The actors did a great job in justifying their roles, be it, Cagney and Bogart, playing the ruthless gangsters and the very consequences of the great depression and unemployment, leads the protagonist to become a forgotten alcoholic, and this has be4en portrayed in a manner that it brings out the harsh realities of the time.
What is the Plot?
The journey of three men and depicts their experiences during some of the pivotal instances during that era, such as the 1929 Stock Market Crash and Prohibition Era Violence. Eddie, George, and Llyod get into the bootlegging business and face several twists and turns to make a fortune and gain power. While Eddie gains power in the bootlegging business, he is envied upon by George, and in the stock market crash, Eddie faces a great loss and resents to a life in poverty, driving a cab again.
However, Eddie meets his fate in the end when he dies as a nobody after killing George, who had evil intentions. The film depicts the very nuances of the socio-economic conditions offered during that time.
Who is in the Cast?
The cast of Thr Roaring Twenties consists of James Cagney who plays the character of Eddie, Priscilla Lane who plays the character of Jean, Humphrey Bogart who plays the character of George Hally, Gladys George who plays the character of Panama Smith, Jeffery Lynn, who plays the character of Llyod Hart, Frank McHugh who plays the character of Danny, Paul Kelly who plays the character of Nick Brown along with several others.
Where to Watch?
The film The Roaring Twenties was released at a time when only theatres were there, and today, in the pandemic era, one can surely lay hands on this masterpiece on OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Just Watch.
