FILM RADAR: Pre-Code series: City Streets / The Miracle Man

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Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

Pre-Code series: City Streets / The Miracle Man

CITY STREETS (1931)
This film was directed by the great Rouben Mamoulian and based on a story by Dashiell Hammett, so it has very impressive credentials going for it even before the first scene. The film centers on Gary Cooper as “The Kid” a circus sharpshooter and his romance with “Nan” (Sylvia Sidney), the daughter of a mobster. When Nan goes “up the river” (prison in gangster terms), “The Kid” decides to give up the circus life and join the mob so he can make more money for their future. They eventually get embroiled in a web of murder, deceit, parties, booze and mayhem. After being burned by her dishonest mobster father, Nan begs “The Kid” to give up mob life. Eventually Nan is framed for a murder she did not commit and “The Kid” steps in to save her from a mob execution. They ride off into the hills, presumably to live happily ever after and to escape the violent underworld. Gary Cooper is very young and at the beginning of his sound career, but has an incredible air of confidence and assurance on film. There is a beautiful close up of him when he is first seen in the film that caused the audience to erupt into applause. They just don’t make star entrances like THAT anymore! Sylvia Sidney is also excellent in the film. She strikes a great balance between being vulnerable, tough and desperate all at the same time. She also wears some pretty low cut gowns that feature an ample view of cleavage, something you seldom see after the enforcement of the code. All in all, the film is a fast paced early gangland thrill ride that is a great crowd pleaser.

THE MIRACLE MAN (1932)
Sylvia Sidney stars again in this powerful melodramatic tell of a pair of crooks who go on the lam and run across an elderly faith healer who they plan to exploit. Chester Morris plays her conniving con artist boyfriend and they team up with a pickpocket and a contortionist to put their plan into action. When they stage a “fake” healing of the contortionist for the benefit of the town, much to their shock real healing miracles also take place. As the gang spends time in the quiet town, they slowly begin to change and have faith themselves. Hobart Bosworth is quite riveting as the faith healer who seems to use everything he has to perform the miracles. Sylvia Sidney makes a convincing transition in the film from tough shell con artist to sensitive, loving small town girl. Chester Morris also does solid work as her smug, ruthless boyfriend. This film is actually a remake of the Lon Chaney version of the film of the same title from 1919, which is sadly lost. This was the breakthrough role that brought Lon Chaney to major stardom and public recognition. It is easy to see why it would have been a perfect fit. The Miracle Man is a touching story with a sincere message about the power of miracles and faith.

I have to admit that I’m a bit fascinated by Sylvia Sidney. She isn’t conventionally beautiful, but there is something very stunning and even feline about her looks! She almost looks like a Siamese Cat. She also played the lead role in Madam Butterfly in the early 1930s and I really need to find a way to see that one.