Product Details

• Actors: Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, Evalyn Knapp, Ralf Harolde, Noel Francis
• Directors: Alfred E. Green
• Writers: John Bright, Joseph Jackson, Kubec Glasmon, Lucien Hubbard
• Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: March 25, 2008
• Run Time: 81 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0012D6A0S
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,420 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Smart Money" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney were teamed for the only time in their careers in Smart Money. Robinson has the larger part as a small- town barber who fancies himself a big-time gambler. He travels to the Big City in the company of his younger brother Cagney who wants to make sure that Robinson isn't fleeced by the high-rollers. Unfortunately Robinson has a weakness for beautiful blondes most of whom take him for all his money or betray him in some other manner. The cops aren't keen on Robinson's gambling activities but they can pin nothing on him until he accidentally kills Cagney in a fight. The incident results in a jail term for manslaughter and a more sober-sided outlook on life for the formerly flamboyant Robinson. Watch closely in the first reel of Smart Money for an unbilled appearance by Boris Karloff as a dope pusher.Running Time: 81 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/CLASSICS UPC: 883929002726 Manufacturer No: 1000035746

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So Smart It Hurts, May 7, 2010

By 

Tom Without Pity (A Major Midwestern Metropolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Money (DVD)

This is a review for the WB DVD release of the 1931 film SMART MONEY,
a WB film starring the just established Edward G. Robinson (LITTLE CEASAR)
along with what they hoped would be their newest star, James Cagney,
who was at the same time filming THE PUBLIC ENEMY.

The story concerns a immigrant barber who seems like he rarely loses when
gambling. This amateur gambler gets the idea to take on investors,
go to the big city and challange the legendary gamblers who rule the urban
roost. So after raising ten thousand, the barber goes to the city in search
for some big action.

After one night the barber is trimmed quite handily by small time sharpers
and eventually has to admit defeat. Until, after getting a barber's job in the
big city, he hits upon a plan to take the sharpers using his old know how and
a new found sense of confidence.

A vastly entertaining film, Robinson is in his early glory and Cagney
is just finding his familiar self in this almost unknown film.
Separately, and in their scenes together, they show what they
can do and won't disappoint anybody except those who want more.

SMART MONEY is loaded with raffish characters, including a snakey
Boris Karloff character, riotous un-PC slang, ha-cha blondes and a fast
paced script that keeps the players hopping.
In one remarkable scene, there's a shot with three of the hottest
stars of 1931 standing together, Karloff, Robinson and Cagney.

The WB DVD package contains the usual fun featurettes just to round
out your night at the WB movies. I think that the most remarkable
thing about SMART MONEY is that it hasn't been available for years.
Four Stars.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 star commentary for 4 star film, April 4, 2008

By 

Douglas M - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Smart Money (DVD)

"Smart Money" was the follow up film for Edward G. Robinson after his smash hit as "Little Caesar". This is a very rare film which has been unseen for years. Not only is it of interest to historians but it stands up very well today and is good entertainment. Released in 1931, some 5 months after the former film, it is a much better production in every way, although the story is tamer. Robinson plays a barber with a renowned gambling ability who hits the big city, funded by his friends from home and hoping to make a mint. The film traces his progress from small town hick to big city gambler but lacks the violence of "Little Caesar". Robinson himself requested that the more unattractive traits of his character be toned down and in this one, he is much more vulnerable and likeable, with a penchant for blondes. He is supported by James Cagney in his last supporting role. The film is very well directed by Alfred Green and is surprisingly detailed for a Warner's film of this period, an A film, no doubt about it. The print is excellent.

The real gem of this DVD is the outstanding commentary which can be played with the film. Two erudite historians place the film squarely in its context: the advent of sound, Warner Brothers lead in recording, the pre-code aspects of the script and characters and finally, biographical information about the stars, all delivered and paced beautifully. Wow! The DVD also contains a crude trailer for "Other Men's Woman", another film with Cagney in a supporting role, a brief newsreel with a glimpse of Al Capone and a very old classic cartoon. There are two musical short films. The first stars the famous George Jessel who introduces a Russian choir with some starchy comedy. The other is much better - a neat broadway yarn with a long forgotten singer Walter O'Keefe, who has a great way with a song and can actually deliver dialogue. It is surprisingly good.

This is a very good DVD package, even better value if purchased as part of the Warner's Gangster Series, Volume 3.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Smart Money (1931) ... Robinson & Cagney ... Alfred E. Green (Director) (2008)", January 27, 2011

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smart Money (DVD)

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "SMART MONEY" (11 July 1931) (81 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- The pairing of Robinson and Cagney was a masterpiece -- They played off each other like dueling banjos -- Both men had just come off their breakthrough performances in Little Caesar and Public Enemy respectively. Of the two of them, Robinson comes off far the better -- It is too bad that they both got so big they couldn't fit on the same screen together again.

When you watch the film, look for a brief cameo by Boris Karloff -- He does have a few speaking lines, but has a rather odd accent -- a Brit trying to sound like an American mug --- It's a treat seeing Karloff, Robinson and Cagney in a brief yet memorable scene.

Edward G. has the flair to take it all in stride and makes the viewer feel honored to watch the master of his craft at work.

Under the production staff of:
Alfred E. Green [Director/Producer]
Kubec Glasmon [screen story]
John Bright [screen story]
Lucien Hubbard [screen story]
Joseph Jackson [screen story]
Kubec Glasmon [dialogue]
John Bright [dialogue]
Lucien Hubbard [dialogue]
Joseph Jackson [dialogue]
Robert Kurrle [Cinematographer]
Jack Killifer [Film Editor]

BIOS:
1. Alfred E. Green [Director]
Date of Birth: 11 July 1889 - Perris, California
Date of Death: 4 September 1960 - Hollywood, California

2. Edward G. Robinson [aka: Emmanuel Goldenberg]
Date of Birth: 12 December 1893 - Bucharest, Romania
Date of Death: 26 January 1973 - Hollywood, California

3. James Cagney [aka: James Francis Cagney]
Date of Birth: 17 July 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 30 March 1986 - Stanfordville, New York

the cast includes:
Edward G. Robinson - Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos
James Cagney - Jack
Evalyn Knapp - Irene Graham
Ralf Harolde - Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short
Noel Francis - Marie (Sleepy Sam's girl)
Margaret Livingston - District Attorney's girl
Maurice Black - Greek barber
Boris Karloff ... Sport Williams

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 81 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (03/25/2008)