Warners Wiseguys: All 112 Films That Robinson, Cagney and Bogart Made for the Studio [Hardcover]

Scott Allen Nollen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0786432624 | ISBN-13: 978-0786432622

As three of the most prominent actors of the early studio system, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart played an unparalleled role in the rise of the Warner Brothers Studio. These "Warners Wiseguys" are now virtually synonymous with the studio's era of gritty gangster films. This study of their interwoven studio-contract careers highlights the similarities of their personalities and their struggles with harsh typecasting. It details and comments critically on each of their combined 112 Warners films. Complete with commentary from the author and other film buffs. An appendix provides a filmographic guide to the films discussed, including lists of primary actors, release dates, directorial credits, and running times for each film.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott Allen Nollen was educated in Film and History at the University of Iowa. He is the author of 16 books on the history of film, literature and music, including, from McFarland, Louis Armstrong (2004), Jethro Tull (2002), The Boys: The Cinematic World of Laurel and Hardy (2001), Robin Hood (1999), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at the Cinema (1996), Robert Louis Stevenson (1994) and Boris Karloff (1991). Currently he is on the staff at Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786432624
• ISBN-13: 978-0786432622
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,698,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Of It's Kind!!!, April 9, 2008

By 

G. Pennock "Movie Fan" (Battle Creek, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Warners Wiseguys: All 112 Films That Robinson, Cagney and Bogart Made for the Studio (Hardcover)

Author Scott Allen Nollen Has Written The Definative Book On The Topic of Warner Brothers Gangster Films. This Book Is An In Depth Study Of James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, And Humphrey Bogart And The Great Gangster Classics They Made For This Studio. This Book Studies In "Major" Depth The Combined 112 Films These Great Actors Made. This Book Includes Commentary From This Great Author Plus Thoughts And Comments From Other Film Buffs Too. Everything Is Covered In This Great Book Including Not Only The Films Discussed And Actors Roles But Also Detailed Information About Release Dates, Directoral Credits, And The Running Times For Each Film Studied. This Book Is A "Must Have" As The Best Book Ever Published On This Topic. Highly Recommended!!! Five Stars!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Canyon News Editor Tommy Lightfoot Garrett Loves This Book, May 25, 2008

By 

Jason Crawford "Jason Crawford" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warners Wiseguys: All 112 Films That Robinson, Cagney and Bogart Made for the Studio (Hardcover)

Being an avid reader I did know who Scott Allen Nollen was. The author of 16 books was educated in Film and History at the University of Iowa. He is currently on staff at Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas.

So when I saw the recent McFarland Publishing book "Warner's Wiseguys," it caught my interest. I had known Virginia Mayo for many years and her leading man in many gangster films, including her most favorite, "White Heat," was James Cagney, so I knew that he'd be included. A young Bogart also got his start in these type of films and Warner's round out of tough guys would have to include Edward G. Robinson. All three were featured in this wonderful new book.
These wise guys who rounded off Warners' top leading men are now synonymous with the studio's era of gritty gangster films. This book is complete with commentary from the author and other film buffs. Warner's was not my favorite of studios, and MGM being most people's favorite was not either. I loved 20th Century Fox, but Warner Bros. Studios cranked out an amazing amount of work out of their actors, which is why Bogart and Bette Davis were so excellent in their roles in movies. Bette said, "You never got a chance to get lazy. There were always movies being made."

But this book not only brings out the truth of the Warners system but it chronicles all 112 movies that the three actors aforementioned starred in. The book also showcases some rare and amazing photographs of many Warners stars and is edited to precision. Anyone can pick the book up, finish a chapter or two and then start again later and feel like you know the story. The author's style of writing commentary is one that I enjoy doing and also love reading. My favorite chapter is titled "Playing All the Angles." It is how Warner Bros was run and how actors who became huge stars at the studio were forced to comply with. Cagney probably understood it better than most, Robinson seemed to enjoy it most, while Bogart was an accidental star but truly the biggest the studio has had. Even though he languished for years in Purgatory, but not in this book, there's a wonderful and well researched chapter called Bogie in Purgatory.

The book is easy to read, but not overly simplistic. The cover very catching and that's important in today's marketing. I enjoyed seeing some of the old movie posters as well featured in this book. Mr. Nollen has done a great job and I give this read four out of five stars. It's a book that has a definite niche audience, but for any old Hollywood buff, this book is readable and suggested reading as well.

Review by Canyon News Editor, Tommy Lightfoot Garrett

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Garrett's Review.
Jason.