Mickey Rooney was never a comedian even though he could be very funny
at times. He could also be very serious & tough. He was quite a versatile actor.
As a kid I grew up watching the Andy Hardy film series & laughed. But I outgrew those movies. When I first saw "Boys Town" (1938) I forgot about Andy Hardy & was more impacted by his more serious & tougher roles.
He played a tough kid in "Hoosier Schoolboy" (1936) he was great as a grease monkey in "Quicksand" (1950). But I've never been more impressed than his portrayal of the notorious celebrated outlaw bank robber Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson the quick tempered trigger happy shoot em up gangster.
It also has an excellent supporting cast of usual suspects like George e. Stone interestingly cast against type as a banker instead of a gangster. Elisha Cook Jr. & Jack Elam & John Hoyt etc. This movie really has the look & feel of a genuine 1930's gangster movie.
Surprisingly he let's the banker live (George E. Stone) & later when he see's 2 kids & draws his Tommy gun & pulls back his gun as the kids don't spot him & walk way.
Carolyn Jones asks Baby Face to lie to her that he wouldn't have killed the 2 kids he answers her by saying he would not have killed them.
Mickey Rooney was perfect for the role as he was short & had a baby face I can't think of anyone else in the role. Mickey Rooney was born to play Baby Face Nelson for Mickey Rooney is Baby Face Nelson.
Highly recommended for any fans of gangster films.
As a kid I grew up watching the Andy Hardy film series & laughed. But I outgrew those movies. When I first saw "Boys Town" (1938) I forgot about Andy Hardy & was more impacted by his more serious & tougher roles.
He played a tough kid in "Hoosier Schoolboy" (1936) he was great as a grease monkey in "Quicksand" (1950). But I've never been more impressed than his portrayal of the notorious celebrated outlaw bank robber Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson the quick tempered trigger happy shoot em up gangster.
It also has an excellent supporting cast of usual suspects like George e. Stone interestingly cast against type as a banker instead of a gangster. Elisha Cook Jr. & Jack Elam & John Hoyt etc. This movie really has the look & feel of a genuine 1930's gangster movie.
Surprisingly he let's the banker live (George E. Stone) & later when he see's 2 kids & draws his Tommy gun & pulls back his gun as the kids don't spot him & walk way.
Carolyn Jones asks Baby Face to lie to her that he wouldn't have killed the 2 kids he answers her by saying he would not have killed them.
Mickey Rooney was perfect for the role as he was short & had a baby face I can't think of anyone else in the role. Mickey Rooney was born to play Baby Face Nelson for Mickey Rooney is Baby Face Nelson.
Highly recommended for any fans of gangster films.