Scarface
Studio: Universal
WorkNameSort: Scarface
A half-century before Al Pacino insisted that we ‘say helloâ?� to his ‘little friend,â?� Paul Muni played the title role in the 1932 version of Scarface, directed by Howard Hawks from a snappy Ben Hecht script. The Cuban gangsters of the remake are Italians in this film, which was a sensation in its day. It holds up well, especially Muni’s broad-strokes performance, which imbues the character with a swaggering, simian spirit that’s as memorable in its way as Pacino’s fiery take on the character. Also effective are George Raft as the mobster’s coin-flipping henchman, Ann Dvorak as his sexy moll and Boris Karloff as a rival kingpin. This bare-bones DVD is available separately or as part of a set, Universal Cinema Classics ‘ Wave 2, that also includes Unconquered (1947), So Proudly We Hail! (1943) and No Man of Her Own (1932).
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 5, 2007.