Best Gangster Movies of the 1930s & 40s: Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney & More

gangster movies are timeless classics! And if you're interested in the golden age of this genre, make sure to check out the best movies from the 1930s and 1940s.

The Golden Age of Gangster Films

These decades were revolutionary for crime films! They captured a time right after Prohibition and the Wall Street Crash of 1929. This was the era of Al Capone and John Dillinger, and those big names fueled a huge desire to watch criminals in action on the screen!

There were some amazing directors behind these cinematic masterpieces!

William Keighley
Raoul Walsh
Howard Hawks

These masters of cinema brought their unique talents, styles and gave audiences some epic moments and these films were not only entertaining, but really showed us just how the criminal minds operate.

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Iconic Stars of the Era

The 1930s and 1940s also brought some of Hollywood's greatest actors, who became stars, many specializing in gangster movies! These talents dominated the silver screen, and many were typecast in roles that would forever be linked to them. They gave us those memorable performances we still talk about today!

Humphrey Bogart
James Cagney

From film noir to heist Movies and intense crime dramas, the influence from these movies of that period is evident in cinema today. These legendary films aren’t just entertaining; they’re historical records capturing the anxieties, attitudes, and social issues prevalent in that time. Many of these legendary crime films aged well and have been ranked highly over time.

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Top Gangster Films of the '30s and '40s

Bullets or Ballots (1936) - Poster Image

Here's a countdown of some of the most celebrated gangster Movies from that time, those that stand out!

Scarface (1932): A classic gangster flick showing the wild life of an Italian immigrant making his way to the top, showing us just what it takes in a volatile world full of violent criminals.
White Heat (1949): This film took us on a thrilling ride as the violent antihero is superbly portrayed by James Cagney and highlights a psychological thriller element.
The Public Enemy (1931): A pre-Code masterpiece capturing the rise and fall of a ruthless gangster inspired by Al Capone!
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938): This melodrama, which became so popular that parts of the storyline show up even today, and gives viewers an interesting, emotional and savage look into crime!
The Roaring Twenties (1939): A look into history. This epic film depicts life and adventure during Prohibition.
Dillinger (1945): A look at the life of one of history's most infamous gangsters.
Little Caesar (1931): The gangster flick about an Italian American mobster who made his way from a lowlife to a boss.
Key Largo (1948): A film noir with romance, intense drama, a hurricane and a thrilling hostage situation.
High Sierra (1941): This film noir thriller depicts a heist in California with car chases.
The Petrified Forest (1936): A Depression-era story about a gangster taking hostages in a diner!
Dead End (1937): A powerful movie following multiple characters whose lives intersect in New York City.
G Men (1935): A take that challenges the usual portrayal, by focusing on the lawmen hunting criminals!
Each Dawn I Die (1939): This story puts a reporter and gangster together who have a complex bond, all unfolding in prison.
Bullets or Ballots (1936): Early Humphrey Bogart as a calculating killer that helps set his acting career in motion.
The Glass Key (1942): This murder mystery that combined romance and gangsters!

These films, many directed by some of cinema’s most notable figures are a celebration of Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and Edward G. Robinson. The success of the gangster genre paved the way for the future!

Best Gangster Movies of the 1930s & 40s: Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney & More

The Golden Age of Gangster Films

Iconic Stars of the Era

Top Gangster Films of the '30s and '40s

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