Scarface (1932) Review

Scarface (1932)

An outstanding gangster movie from the original batch released in the early 1930's, Scarface was a thinly disguised essay on the career of Al Capone staring stage actor Paul Muni whose strange simian-like characterization of the gangster made for a compelling viewing experience. This is the film that was later remade as Scarface, starring Al Pacino.

Director Howard Hawks directed and Howard Hughes produced the definitive gangster movie. Along with Little Caesar and Public Enemy, Scarface took the genre a step further and paved the way for a slew of gangster movies from Warner Bros that helped to enrich their coffers in the lean years of the Depression.

As the film opens, a long tracking shot follows a janitor cleaning up after a wild party. After a long look at the janitor’s work, the camera swings over to the side where the last few revelers are discussing their plans for future crimes. The last guests leave, with only "Big Louie" Costillo, the crime boss, left.  Big Louie goes into a phone booth to make a call and shots ring out. This was the fictional version of the assassination of "Big Jim" Colossimo, the original godfather of Chicago. Johnny Torrio and Al Capone had allegedly killed him in similar fashion to that shown. What Torrio didn't know was his turn was next.

The next scene shows a newspaper office and the editor telling them to put "Gang War" in the next headline, very similar to the irresponsible press we all know and love.

In a typical police move they bring in all suspects including  Tony Camonte (Paul Muni) and his sidekick George Raft.  Camonte immediately begins to plot how to take over the Chicago underworld.

Camonte begins a war against all the other gangs, and soon knocks off all opposition shown in a variety of artful ways by cameraman Lee Garmes.  Now he is the boss of all Chicago.  But they didn’t tell him when you reach the top, the only way is down!

The video is very stylishly shot with stark black and white contrasts and innovative camera angles. Many of the gunplay scenes were shot with live ammunition on the empty stage then reshot with the actors and the takes superimposed to make an extremely realistic impression and a special effects tour de force. Gunfire and car wrecks that make your stomach churn are a characteristic of Scarface.

Howard Hawks deserves credit for making the hardest hitting, most stylish gangster movie of the era. With Paul Muni, a stage actor, his tendency was to overact with broad gestures suitable for live performances. In a lot of cases it looks like chewing the scenery, but here it is perfect for the character of the slow-witted Scarface.

The movie also has an incestuous subplot that kept it under wraps a year trying to pass the censors.  Finally, producer Howard Hughes released it unchanged without their approval. George Raft, as Guino Rinaldo, became typecast as the gangster who flipped a coin from playing this role.  

This is even better than the remake with Al Pacino.