Feb 26, 2015

Forgettable and not worth watching just because Eddie G and Jimmy C are in it together. Cagney doesn't get much air time and the movie doesn't have a single gunshot to it which is disappointing for a Robinson or Cagney movie...

Forgettable and not worth watching just because Eddie G and Jimmy C are in it together. Cagney doesn't get much air time and the movie doesn't have a single gunshot to it which is disappointing for a Robinson or Cagney movie...

Oct 21, 2014

Some parts of the script were dreadful, but Cagney and Robinson have enough charisma together to pull this off. It's a shame they never worked together again.

Some parts of the script were dreadful, but Cagney and Robinson have enough charisma together to pull this off. It's a shame they never worked together again.

Feb 01, 2014

Decent Depression era yarn about professional gambling, and the associated scams and corruption. Cagney's role is very much supporting, but EGR is more than capable of carrying the film - if only the blokes I usually gamble with were as cheery as him.

Decent Depression era yarn about professional gambling, and the associated scams and corruption. Cagney's role is very much supporting, but EGR is more than capable of carrying the film - if only the blokes I usually gamble with were as cheery as him.

May 03, 2013

Forgettable and not worth watching just because Eddie G and Jimmy C are in it together. Cagney doesn't get much air time and the movie doesn't have a single gunshot to it which is disappointing for a Robinson or Cagney movie...

Forgettable and not worth watching just because Eddie G and Jimmy C are in it together. Cagney doesn't get much air time and the movie doesn't have a single gunshot to it which is disappointing for a Robinson or Cagney movie...

Apr 06, 2013

Edward G. Robinson seems to be playing the sucker male roles lately..."Smart Money" isn't really anything original but about a guy Nick "The Barber" Veniz (Robinson) who seems to have a weakness for gorgeous women and literally acts like a white knight to them. "The Barber" hnags out with his loyal brother named Jack played by James Cagney (in one of lesser good guy roles) who doesn't want to see his brother seen as a wuss. They're both into heavy gambling and run a so called barbershop and still remain humble loyal guys. The good life all catches up for The Barber where he will have to admit to his sins. "Smart Money" is a good film but it's themes is pretty much what audiences have seen before.

Edward G. Robinson seems to be playing the sucker male roles lately..."Smart Money" isn't really anything original but about a guy Nick "The Barber" Veniz (Robinson) who seems to have a weakness for gorgeous women and literally acts like a white knight to them. "The Barber" hnags out with his loyal brother named Jack played by James Cagney (in one of lesser good guy roles) who doesn't want to see his brother seen as a wuss. They're both into heavy gambling and run a so called barbershop and still remain humble loyal guys. The good life all catches up for The Barber where he will have to admit to his sins. "Smart Money" is a good film but it's themes is pretty much what audiences have seen before.

Jan 23, 2013

Normally, one asks, "What's this movie about?" before seeing it... not 45 minutes into it. And why the heck was James Cagney's character the weak sidekick? I file this next to "Brother Orchid" in the "Why are these considered gangster movies?!" file.

Normally, one asks, "What's this movie about?" before seeing it... not 45 minutes into it. And why the heck was James Cagney's character the weak sidekick? I file this next to "Brother Orchid" in the "Why are these considered gangster movies?!" file.

Aug 18, 2012

i'm not sure if there was a shortage of actresses who were not short haired blondes at the time "smart money" was shooting, but all of the actresses in the film look almost identical and it becomes quite confusing. the film has a lot of moments that are supposed to be comical, and only about half of them actually are. i didn't think it was a terrible film, but i have a feeling it would have been much more enjoyable if edward g. robinson and james cagney switched roles.

i'm not sure if there was a shortage of actresses who were not short haired blondes at the time "smart money" was shooting, but all of the actresses in the film look almost identical and it becomes quite confusing. the film has a lot of moments that are supposed to be comical, and only about half of them actually are. i didn't think it was a terrible film, but i have a feeling it would have been much more enjoyable if edward g. robinson and james cagney switched roles.

Aug 14, 2012

this is the ONLY time cagney and eddie g were paired up in this pre-code early talkie

this is the ONLY time cagney and eddie g were paired up in this pre-code early talkie

Jul 23, 2012

The ONLY time that Robinson and Cagney acted together was a fun pre-code gambling film, and it's almost a shame that the 2 never paired together again. This was made just after "Little Caesar" and just before "Public Enemy", so it was seriously at the beginning of their star-making films. And another big one is a bit-part by Boris Karloff playing a pimp! And of course this was before his star-making immortalized turn in "Frankenstein".

The ONLY time that Robinson and Cagney acted together was a fun pre-code gambling film, and it's almost a shame that the 2 never paired together again. This was made just after "Little Caesar" and just before "Public Enemy", so it was seriously at the beginning of their star-making films. And another big one is a bit-part by Boris Karloff playing a pimp! And of course this was before his star-making immortalized turn in "Frankenstein".

Apr 24, 2011

In many ways, the first half of Alfred E. Greenâ(TM)s SMART MONEY can be seen as a stage-setter for John Dahlâ(TM)s game-changing ROUNDERSâ"thatâ(TM)s game-changing from a poker perspective, not a cinematic one, mind you, though I do love me some ROUNDERS! FULL REVIEW: http://filmandfelt.com/musings/?p=2634

In many ways, the first half of Alfred E. Greenâ(TM)s SMART MONEY can be seen as a stage-setter for John Dahlâ(TM)s game-changing ROUNDERSâ"thatâ(TM)s game-changing from a poker perspective, not a cinematic one, mind you, though I do love me some ROUNDERS! FULL REVIEW: http://filmandfelt.com/musings/?p=2634