This is a rarity, a classic old film from the early talkie days which I have never seen, prior to tonight. Howard Hughes did things in a big way when he made films. His Hell's Angels of 1930 was a top-notch aerial epic. Scarface, made in late 1930, but unreleased until 1932 is a top-notch gangster picture. Beautifully directed by Howard Hawks, the film's dark and brooding cinematography glistens. The performances by all concerned are first-rate. Paul Muni was truly a great actor, and he infuses his character with life. Karen Morley is very good as the girlfriend, but Ann Dvorak is simply great as the sister who is looked after just a little too carefully by Muni's Tony. There are many killings throughout the picture's 94 minute running time, but people looking for blood-and-guts had better head for the Brian DePalma 1983 remake. The violence, and the tension leading up to some of the killings are there, all right, but things were a bit more subtle in the early '30s than they were 50 years later. There is a symbolic "X" theme which runs through the picture which is quite interesting and something I've not seen too often. Boris Karloff has a small part in the proceedings, and while this film was released in April, 1932, which was after Karloff's star-making turn in Frankenstein, Scarface was filmed and completed before the famous Universal horror flick. Scarface is a satisfying gangster picture which is rightfully regarded as one of the very best in it's genre, regardless of year. The DVD print is very good, and there is an alternate ending included which lends a more properly moral tone. I liked the original ending as seen in the released film better, but you can judge for yourself when you see it. This is a film which is well worth your time.
Review of Scarface
