Smart Money (1931)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Pretty Good

Excellent adaptation.

Don't Believe the Hype

Edward G. Robinson is flashy but vulnerable as a lucky barber who aspires to become a big city gambler. Encouraged by his success in the backroom dice game in his barber shop, Robinson convinces his friends that he's got the touch, borrows a stake, and heads off to make his fortune. The obstacles he encounters include crooked hotel gamblers as well as a cigarette girl who tricks him out of a $100 bill. However, persistence and some shady tricks of his own eventually land Edward G. at the top of his profession: Nick the Barber runs the biggest gambling joint in town. Unfortunately, the D.A. looks askance at gamblers, however charismatic, and while the first section of the story shows Nick's rise to fame, the bulk of the picture deals with the personal and legal dangers that threaten to bring him down. James Cagney is fine in what is definitely a secondary role as Robinson's friend and chief assistant. Evalyn Knapp turns up late in the story as a depressed young woman who is rescued and taken in by Robinson. Cagney is sure she's a spy working for the D.A. and looking for evidence; Robinson trusts her completely. How will it all shake out? Whom can you trust, anyway?Like many of these early 30s dramas, this film offers no pat ending or definite moral message...it's a tale about taking a shot and stopping at nothing. Edward G. Robinson's performance, self-assured and stubbornly optimistic, makes it worth watching.Quick cast note: Boris Karloff has a bit as a shadowy figure who loses $100 to Edward G. early in the picture. Interesting that during this same year both Karloff and Cagney would see their careers take off.

Robinson is a barber who owns his own barbershop, but who goes off to gamble with some real card-sharks. He goes to the hotel where the action is and meets the girl at the magazine counter who tells him what room the game is in, after the desk clerk tells him nothing like that is allowed in this hotel. Little does Edward know what's in store for him. Of course Robinson, as the barber, is great, and James Cagney is a secondary character with not much development to make him really interesting. But, it's Robinson that makes this film worth watching. He has such presence, and this is only a sample of what is yet to come in his career. The only problem I have with it is that its ending is rather anti-climatic. But as usual Robinson has the flair to take it all in stride and he makes the viewer feel honored to watch a master of his craft at work.

1931's "Smart Money" is the only time Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney were paired in a film. Robinson is definitely in the lead here, though. Although it's impossible to really describe Cagney as "subdued" in anything he ever did, he is toned down a bit. Robinson plays Nick the barber, who gets 10K together to gamble in one of the syndicate's big games. This turns out the way you'd expect when a small time guy goes up against the mob and expects them to play on the level. Robinson's character vows revenge as a result of this double-cross. He eventually does become a successful big-time gambler with a gambling syndicate of his own. At this point he begins to attract the attention of law enforcement.Don't expect Robinson's Little Caesar character to show up here - Nick the Barber is a kinder gentler gangster. In fact, he's really not much of a gangster at all. He pretty much limits his law-breaking to participating in and backing gambling until the final scene, which turns out to be the height of irony. Very much worth your viewing time.

Smart Money (1931) *** (out of 4) Nick the Barber (Edward G. Robinson) is a whiz gambler but doesn't have the money to enter the big time. His friends (one played by James Cagney) eventually raise the money, which sends Nick to NYC where he soon takes over. This is a very entertaining early gem from Warner, which was clearly the studios attempt at making a gangster film with cards instead of alcohol. Robinson is wonderful in his role and gets to show off a charming and romantic side. Cagney is also very good in his minor role. Sadly this was the only film the two starred together. Boris Karloff also has a good, if small, uncredited role.