INVISIBLE STRIPES

US, 1939,
George Raft, William Holden, Flora Robson, Jane Bryan, Marc Lawrence.
Directed by Lloyd Bacon.

Invisible Stripes is a routine Warner Bros film of the late 30s. It is a star vehicle for George Raft, adept at playing this kind of ex-prisoner who tries to go straight after leaving prison but falls back into a life of crime. Humphrey Bogart portrays the criminal who also leaves at the same time – and is the leader of the gang. William Holden, in a very early role (he made Golden Boy his debut at this time) plays the younger brother. Surprising is the casting of British actress Flora Robeson as Raft’s and Holden’s mother.

The film was written by a former warder of Sing Sing Prison, Jonathan Finn, who wrote the story of 20,000 Years in Sing Sing. Lloyd Bacon, a routine director of this kind of film, is director here.

The film shows Warner Bros’ interest in American crime dramas, hardboiled, focusing on life in the United States in the 30s, especially for the poorer classes in the Depression and its aftermath.

1. An enjoyable film of the 30s, the Warner Brothers production, direct, tough treatment, black and white photography, sets, styles of acting, musical score?

2. The development of the gangster film during the 30s, the tough presentation, the moralising aspects for American audiences, the sense of nobility about so many of the gangsters?

3. The significance of the title and indication of themes, especially in the application to Taylor and his forever being in prison?

4. The early ski etching of the prison background, Taylor leaving, the contrast with the way of life, the contrast with the gangster and the warning of the warden? The moralizing tone about prisoners right from the beginning of the film?

5. The contrast with the Taylor household, Mrs Taylor and the quality of Flora Robson’s performance, an idealizing of the American mother, with her kindness and care, devotion to her sons, status as a widow, the various meals, going to the dance and her pride with her children?

6. The contrast with Tim, William Holden and his early style? The character, the credibility of his relationship with his brother? his being young, angry? a sense belonging or his future? His brother helping him? Admiring his brother? The film showing that he had some nobility of character? Cliff and his term in prison, his helping Tim, getting the money for the house, for Tim to be able to marry? The robbery, trying to go straight? The contact with Church and being implicated again? Tim and his ordinary life, his love for Peggy, the garage and their life? The romantic aspects and their future? The influence of Cliff?

7. How well did the film develop the character of Taylor within this context, as a man, the crime background, his working with the boys, his relationship with his parole officer, the financial crisis and his decision to go to crime again, his desire to help? His confrontation with Chuck and the nobility of his death?

8. The presentation of Chuck as the criminal type? Humphrey Bogart and his style, the being in prison, the hold with Taylor, the rest of the group, the presentation of the robbery, the escape? The increase of tension towards his death? A noble death?

9. What atmosphere of the 1930s did the film communicate? Social conditions, poverty, crime, the police, morality?

10. How important are films like this as a record of the times, for enjoyment , for the understanding of human nature, moralizing?