"Hard to Handle" is one heck of a good movie, with James Cagney in a somewhat different casting. He's still the fast-talking, loud and brazen know it-all that was his usual persona. But his character, Lefty Merrill, has a couple of different twists in this film. He's the brainy guy who comes up with scheme after scheme to make big bucks. He's not an out and out scam artist or shyster, but he operates close to the edge of the law. The difference being that Lefty always pays off - or tries to. He believes in giving the "suckers" the prize. So, the winning person of whatever clever near-scam he comes up with needs to get the prize.
But there are two twists to this guy. First, he gets scammed by his partners or accomplices who take off with the dough. And second, he shows his flabbergast at being taken for a sucker himself. He found it hard to believe that these "friends" were such crooks. It's all very good, and funny. And, it's a Cagney show all the way.
That's saying something in a film where another character seems to be planted to steal the scenes or share the limelight with Cagney. That's the role of Ruth Donnelly as Lil Waters. She's the mother of Ruth Waters, the girl that Lefty really loves. But Lil is out for one thing. She's a gold-bricking mother and would-be mother-in-law of the right chump with the dough. Mary Brian plays Ruth, who's in love with Lefty. Lil tries to dissuade her for a man who can make something of himself, if he isn't already a millionaire. But, whoops, Lefty comes into the money with a new scheme and Lil is all for him. Then, another partner or associate runs out on Lefty, and Lil is back to telling Ruth she should have nothing to do with the bum.
The part of Lil is okay and good for some laughs, but Donnelly plays it so overboard that she seems to be a constant whinner and complainer. So her character soon gets on one's nerves and, I think, detracts some from the film. At the least, I found her distracting from the fun and energy of the film.
But this is a good comedy all-around, thanks to Cagney. And, several very good supporting actors of the day have good roles. Here are a couple of favorite lines.
Ruth Waters, after hugging Lefty, "Oh, you hurt me." Lefty Merrill, "That's love."
Lefty Merrill, "I'm going to show you something that will swell your heart up to the size of a peanut."
Lefty Merrill, "Why, I'm as innocent as an unborn baby."
But there are two twists to this guy. First, he gets scammed by his partners or accomplices who take off with the dough. And second, he shows his flabbergast at being taken for a sucker himself. He found it hard to believe that these "friends" were such crooks. It's all very good, and funny. And, it's a Cagney show all the way.
That's saying something in a film where another character seems to be planted to steal the scenes or share the limelight with Cagney. That's the role of Ruth Donnelly as Lil Waters. She's the mother of Ruth Waters, the girl that Lefty really loves. But Lil is out for one thing. She's a gold-bricking mother and would-be mother-in-law of the right chump with the dough. Mary Brian plays Ruth, who's in love with Lefty. Lil tries to dissuade her for a man who can make something of himself, if he isn't already a millionaire. But, whoops, Lefty comes into the money with a new scheme and Lil is all for him. Then, another partner or associate runs out on Lefty, and Lil is back to telling Ruth she should have nothing to do with the bum.
The part of Lil is okay and good for some laughs, but Donnelly plays it so overboard that she seems to be a constant whinner and complainer. So her character soon gets on one's nerves and, I think, detracts some from the film. At the least, I found her distracting from the fun and energy of the film.
But this is a good comedy all-around, thanks to Cagney. And, several very good supporting actors of the day have good roles. Here are a couple of favorite lines.
Ruth Waters, after hugging Lefty, "Oh, you hurt me." Lefty Merrill, "That's love."
Lefty Merrill, "I'm going to show you something that will swell your heart up to the size of a peanut."
Lefty Merrill, "Why, I'm as innocent as an unborn baby."