BULLETS OR BALLOTS
US, 1936, 82 minutes. Black and white.
Edward G. Robinson, Joan Blondell, Barton Mac Lane, Humphrey Bogart, Frank Mc Hugh, Joe King, Henry O’ Neill.
Directed by William Keighley.
Bullets or Ballots is one of many gangster films made by Warner Bros during the 1930s. It is about undercover agents.
Edward G. Robinson had established himself as a key gangster actor in Little Caesar (1931). Here he is a policeman, dropped by the squad, who wants to persuade the Mob that he is genuine in wanting to join them. He works as an undercover agent. Barton Maclaine is Al Kruger, a character based on the actual gangster Dutch Schultz. Joan Blondell is the blonde lead.
Humphrey Bogart was still making a name for himself at this stage of his career and was soon to emerge as a star. In the meantime, he took on many gangster roles like this one.
1. Audience response to crime films? How good an example was this? Its particular qualities?
2. The film as an example from the 1930s? Its impact then, now?
3. The techniques of the thirties? black and white photography, sharp editing, authentic locations? The thirties attitude towards American crime? The emphasis from the title? The details of the plot?
4. The emphasis on Johnny Blake? Edward G. Robinson in this role? Instead of being a villain? How plausible was his character? The motivation for his willingness to be dropped from the police and join the gangsters? What personal qualities were manifest from his chiropractor? Defects?
5. The film’s showing that there was a need for this kind of infiltration? The detailed preparation on the part of the police force? The reputation for Johnny’s anger? The authenticity of the set-up? The background of
gangsterism and murders? Johnny’s relationship with Fenner and Fenner’s employing him? The details of the way Blake communicated with his superiors? How much personal danger to Blake?
6. The importance of the suspicions on the part of Herman? Humphrey Bogart’s style of gangster? His suspicions of Blake, of Fenner? his infiltration for information, his hoping to take over, his overreaching himself?
7. The importance of Lee in the plot? Her befriending Johnny, her disappointment in him, the irony of her being instrumental in his death?
8. The background of American politics and political corruption? The master minds of gangsterism being in high and official places? The film’s comment on this?
9. The build-up to Johnny’s takeover? His tricks in order to recognise the bosses? His meeting them?
10. The irony of Johnny’s death? Just too late. Lee's Instrumentality? Herman’s vengeance? The final shooting and the mutual deaths? Johnny’s heroics?
11. What was the purpose of making this film? Entertainment, moralising? How effective in each area?
