Directed by: Howard Hawks
Premise: The classic gangster film follows
the rise and fall of Tony Camonte (Paul Muni) in 1930s Chicago.
What Works: Scarface is an example
of classic moviemaking. The structure of the story is very solid, with a
clearly defined three act structure and brisk storytelling. For a film
that is seventy-five years old, its chases and shootouts are very
exciting. The film’s portrayal of the gang war is effective and gets
the point across in a concise way. The film also includes a great
performance by Paul Muni as the antihero of the film and it stands with
Marlon Brando in The
Godfatheras one of the quintessential film gangsters. He is
able to be brooding at one moment and turn into a lighthearted jokester
the next in ways that keep the character engaging and strangely likable,
but also warn of the trouble to come. There are some subtle but well
shot scenes in this Scarface that comply with the content rules
of classic Hollywood but are so well staged that they use the
restrictions to their advantage, such as Tony’s revenge on his
employer (Osgood Perkins). Part of the fun of screening this film is in
comparing it to Brian
DePalma’s film and there are plenty of parallels to be found
between the two. One of these parallels is in Tony’s relationship to
his love interest, played by Karen Morley, and to his sister, played by
Ann Dvorak. Dvorak is sultry but naïve and watching how Tony’s
lawlessness infects his sister in this film is in some ways superior to
the remake.
What Doesn’t: Those expecting a film
identical to the 1983 film may be disappointed in that the violence is
not as excessive and the film’s line between cops and criminals is
clearly defined in this picture. While blurring this line has been the
subject of the contemporary gangster film, these older pictures were
produced under the Hays Code and such discrepancies would have been
impossible.
DVD extras: Turner Classic Movies
introduction, alternate ending.
Bottom Line: Howard Hawks version of Scarface is worth viewing by fans of
Brian DePalma’s remake, The
Untouchables, and the crime genre in general. Its energy and
classic characters make it an important film that ought to be more
widely appreciated.