James Cagney and Joan Blondell made seven films together between 1930 and 1934, portraying characters that were romantically involved in three of them. The other two were "Sinners Holiday" (1930) and "He Was Her Man" (1934). I haven't seen that last one yet, this picture entices me to look it up real soon.As in all his early flicks, Cagney is full of energy and wise cracks portraying his character Bert Harris, a bellhop at a Midwestern hotel. Right after he meets Ann Roberts (Blondell) and sets her up with a job as a linen girl, he offers to bring up some 'hooch' and sandwiches! Whoa - I had to replay that scene a couple of times. I've heard the word used in other films of the era but it always catches me off guard, just one of the perks that come with watching films from the Thirties before the Code restrictions came along.Louis Calhern and a young Ray Milland make appearances along the way and engage in a series of scams and shakedowns with and against the principal stars. Bert chases Anne throughout the story, but because she gets tired of the grifting life, eventually marries Dapper Dan Barker (Calhern), an irritating character Bert refers to at one point as a 'smack-off'. It was gratifying to see Barker taken for $6500 in the horse race scam, that was the kind of smack-off he deserved.I'm glad I'm not the only one to register a thumbs down with the way the picture ended. I just didn't understand Dan Barker's angle setting Bert up to take a fall with the police. Barker's thirty grand was still gone no matter which way you slice it, even if the non-negotiable bonds were recovered. One explanation perhaps is that he never blew the thirty grand to begin with, but the story could have let us in on that little secret without making the ending so abrupt and confusing. Very unsatisfactory.Otherwise though, an entertaining entry from the early Thirties that nicely showcases it's top billed stars and gets them together for a smooch by the end of the story. And just in case you forgot to count, Blondell smacked Cagney four times!

Blonde Crazy (1931) does not boast the best plot in the world: the structure is a mess and many of the supporting characters are not that well developed. But gosh, who's here for any of that? This movie is all about James Cagney and Joan Blondell, giving them a framework around which to display their wonderful chemistry. The two play a pair of con artists who work in a hotel, swindling lecherous old men out of money. Of course, the partners in crime fall in love, though Joan is reluctant to hitch herself to such a scoundrel and lady killer.The whole thing is a lark, full of belly laughs. I near died every time Blondell smacked someone across the face or Cagney called someone "HON-EEY!" If you're a fan of either actor, then you'll have a great old time with Blonde Crazy. Everyone else may not be so impressed.

Blonde Crazy (1931) ** 1/2 (out of 4) James Cagney and Joan Blondell are small time con artists in a small town but they get in over their heads when they go to the big city. This is a decent little film but if it weren't for the stars then I'm positive it would have been worse. Cagney is good in his role but it's certainly not among his best performances. I think the character was meant to be annoying so I can't really blame Cagney for this. Blondell certainly steals the show and her scene in the bathtub was certainly the highlight. Ray Milland plays a small role and comes off quite stiff. A couple others have mentioned the ending and said it was stupid because Milland wouldn't have done what he did but I'm not so sure I agree. A rich rat would do just about anything and trying to get Cagney out of the picture seems like something he could do. I doubt the screenwriters did much thinking about it but in the end this film has some nice pre-code stuff.

This here flick is a real gas. Crackerjack fun and stands the test of time. Imagine Cagney and Blondell playing off each other these days when the implied is used with a hammer. These guys aim to rattle the teeth with sharpness not sledgehammer subtlety which is all writers can afford these days. The bath tub gag is typical. Swing that door Jimmy boy. The cons are bad as cons go and I bet some artists are still trying them on today just in a more sophisticated way. Nice to see a young Ray Milland before the eyes popped. I wish I had me a dame like Blondell....