The 1930's were a productive time for Warner Bros., which was primarily the result of producing a high number of quality gangster and crime films, which usually tended to feature a big assortment of talent. One such film was this 1935 effort, which is heavily influenced by the case of notorious gangster Al Capone. The film might seem rather typical for the usual format that these Warner Bros. Pictures tended to follow, but even with that said, there's no denying that it's very entertaining.
Special Agent is a fast-paced but rather engaging gangster picture. While it might seem to be a standard effort in regards to the formula that such films usually applied, it has enough to make it stand out from some of the others. In addition to that, it also has just about everything that made these types of films worth seeing. With an interesting story, a talented cast, and some effective directing, this film manages to be another good entry in the studio's gangster series.
The film tells the story of a gangster based heavily on Al Capone. Alexander Carston is a crime kingpin who nobody can seem to touch, with his power seemingly being impenetrable. The Federal Government has been doing everything they can to bring him down, but try as they might, they can't seem to do anything about it. Before long, a newspaper reported named Bill Bradford is deputized as a treasury agent by the Interval Revenue Bureau to uncover enough evidence so that Carston can be hit with a charge of tax evasion. In order to do this, he has to infiltrate Carston's organization to achieve cooperation with Julie Gardner, Carston's bookkeeper, the only one who has access to Carston's records. What ultimately results is an effective crime drama that is rather different from the usual Warner Bros. Formula, but that is in no idea a detraction.
Compared to some of the other Warner Bros. Gangster films, this one is rather novel, because it doesn't have that much violence in it (although when it does, it does get rather violent). Instead, the film focuses more on the writing and the interactions with the characters. One of the best moments in the film involves Carston giving a speech of Bradford, in which he smugly gloats that somebody like him is above the law, and that no matter how hard the Feds try, they will never be able to convict him. However, there are some violent scenes in the film, such as moment where some of Carston's goons kill somebody who is going to be testifying against him, and in the process, they also kill a few bystanders who happened to be nearby. There's also the climax, which while brief, gets rather intense as the Fed close in one some more of Carston's minions.
The film also benefits from the fact that, par for the course for a film like this, the acting is great. George Brent gives a very good performance as the reporter turned agent who is tasked with bringing down Carston. Brent brings a sense of charm to his role that makes him easy to admire and hopeful that he will succeed in his objective. The always great Bette Davis is as usual, an absolute joy to see, with her having a tendency to steal the audience's attention whenever she's in front of the camera, not to mention that some of her interactions with Brent were rather delightful. Ricardo Cortez was positively brilliant as the Al Capone-esque Carston, a slimy and smarmy gangster who is lowkey, but nevertheless, extremely ruthless. Henry O'Neil put in a solid effort as the DA who recruits Brent for the task of getting Carston, with him having a sense of determination that shows he's quite confident that Brent's character will be the one to do it. Ultimately, as one would expect from a film like this one, the cast manages to utilize their talents to a positive effect.
To reiterate, Special Agent is a rather entertaining film that makes for another solid entry in the Warner Bros. Gangster repertoire. While the film might be less violent than some of the similar films of the era, it does get rather dark at certain intervals, and in other intervals, it manages to play up the more suspenseful elements. Furthermore, it's also worth seeing to see a talented lineup bringing out their talents.
Special Agent is a fast-paced but rather engaging gangster picture. While it might seem to be a standard effort in regards to the formula that such films usually applied, it has enough to make it stand out from some of the others. In addition to that, it also has just about everything that made these types of films worth seeing. With an interesting story, a talented cast, and some effective directing, this film manages to be another good entry in the studio's gangster series.
The film tells the story of a gangster based heavily on Al Capone. Alexander Carston is a crime kingpin who nobody can seem to touch, with his power seemingly being impenetrable. The Federal Government has been doing everything they can to bring him down, but try as they might, they can't seem to do anything about it. Before long, a newspaper reported named Bill Bradford is deputized as a treasury agent by the Interval Revenue Bureau to uncover enough evidence so that Carston can be hit with a charge of tax evasion. In order to do this, he has to infiltrate Carston's organization to achieve cooperation with Julie Gardner, Carston's bookkeeper, the only one who has access to Carston's records. What ultimately results is an effective crime drama that is rather different from the usual Warner Bros. Formula, but that is in no idea a detraction.
Compared to some of the other Warner Bros. Gangster films, this one is rather novel, because it doesn't have that much violence in it (although when it does, it does get rather violent). Instead, the film focuses more on the writing and the interactions with the characters. One of the best moments in the film involves Carston giving a speech of Bradford, in which he smugly gloats that somebody like him is above the law, and that no matter how hard the Feds try, they will never be able to convict him. However, there are some violent scenes in the film, such as moment where some of Carston's goons kill somebody who is going to be testifying against him, and in the process, they also kill a few bystanders who happened to be nearby. There's also the climax, which while brief, gets rather intense as the Fed close in one some more of Carston's minions.
The film also benefits from the fact that, par for the course for a film like this, the acting is great. George Brent gives a very good performance as the reporter turned agent who is tasked with bringing down Carston. Brent brings a sense of charm to his role that makes him easy to admire and hopeful that he will succeed in his objective. The always great Bette Davis is as usual, an absolute joy to see, with her having a tendency to steal the audience's attention whenever she's in front of the camera, not to mention that some of her interactions with Brent were rather delightful. Ricardo Cortez was positively brilliant as the Al Capone-esque Carston, a slimy and smarmy gangster who is lowkey, but nevertheless, extremely ruthless. Henry O'Neil put in a solid effort as the DA who recruits Brent for the task of getting Carston, with him having a sense of determination that shows he's quite confident that Brent's character will be the one to do it. Ultimately, as one would expect from a film like this one, the cast manages to utilize their talents to a positive effect.
To reiterate, Special Agent is a rather entertaining film that makes for another solid entry in the Warner Bros. Gangster repertoire. While the film might be less violent than some of the similar films of the era, it does get rather dark at certain intervals, and in other intervals, it manages to play up the more suspenseful elements. Furthermore, it's also worth seeing to see a talented lineup bringing out their talents.