I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
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Writer/Director: Alan Parker Genre: Family/Comedy/Crime/Musical Release Date: 1976 Classification: U Runtime: 93 minutes Amazon Price: £11.69
I first saw Bugsy Malone as a kid and I fell in love with it. I have since watched it many, many times and the magic of it has never died.
***Who is Alan Parker*** As an English film-maker, Alan Parker had his accomplishments confirmed firstly in 1992 when he was knighted as part of the New Year's Honours List, and again in 1995 when he was awarded a CBE.
Parker began his working life as a well respected Advertising copywriter until he began directing for TV from his basement in the 1970's. He has directed everything from TV commercials to feature films, many of which we are all familiar with, including Midnight Express, Fame, Angel Heart, Mississippi Burning, Evita and Angela's Ashes. Many of these films (Angel Heart, Evita, and Angela's Ashes) he also earns himself writing credits. One of Parker's most interesting achievements, is his 1982 direction of Pink Floyd's the wall.
Parker is a founding member of the Directors' Guild of Great Britain and as such has lectured at film schools around the world. He has also acted as a member of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival.
***What's the film about*** Bugsy Malone is a musical gangster film with a twist. Based loosely on the1920's Prohibition era in Chicago and the comings and goings of mobsters such as Al Capone, Bugsy Malone features kids in all the parts and adds a light-hearted, tongue in cheek aspect of the gangsters and their molls. The film's plot centres around two main players Fat Sam and Dandy Dan and their ongoing feud and how Bugsy, a two-bit hustler at worst, becomes involved and fronts the army of men prepared to fight for Fat Sam.
The film is as action-packed as it gets although the difference is that the gangsters in Bugsy Malone use Cream pies and custard
filled guns instead of bullets. The getaway cars are peddling cars (Bugsy drives Fat Sam's) and the drinks at Fat's Sam's bar are cream soda's and root beer.
There is also love as there should be in any good gangster film. The love interest for Bugsy comes in the shape of Blousey Brown, a quiet and simple type with a dream of being a singer in one of Fat Sam's shows.
***Who is in it*** Bugsy Malone - Scott Baio You may remember Scott Baio (or you might not) as Chachi from Happy Days or as Charles from Charles in Charge or maybe as Dr Jack Stewart from the awful TV series Diagnosis Murder. If so, it's a shame because he deserves to be remembered for his starring role in this film.
Bugsy Malone was only Baio's second film but he is a natural in it. He plays the lovable rogue, hungry for a bit of the good life and ready to hustle for it if need be. He oozes charm in his performance and it is no wonder all the girls in the film either have a crush on him or fall for him hard.
Blousey Brown - Florrie Dugger Florrie Dugger hasn't acted since Bugsy Malone but at least she went out with a bang. If you are going to be remembered for something, it might as well be for a fantastic production which can never be topped.
Blousey is a simple country girl with a beautiful voice who packs a suitcase and moves to Chicago with no money in her pocket. She dreams of being a showgirl in Fat Sam's club. Although she lacks the street-wise and independent attitude of other showgirls like the headliner Tallulah, she ends up being able to stand her ground when need be. She is certainly no mug and makes Bugsy work for her affection.
Fat Sam - John Cassisi Like Flossie, John didn't stay in the world of showbiz long after Bugsy Malone which is a great shame. As the soft-hearted, less than bright tough guy owner of Fat Sam's club Cassisi was remarkable and in many ways stole the show. Fat Sam, as the name may suggest, was a roly poly club owner who insisted on the most beautiful girls working in his club. With Tallullah draped over his arm he commanded everyone's respect.
Fat Sam, had competition from Dandy Dan to run the town and didn't really have the smarts to organise himself and his posse well enough to beat him. Luckily, he did have enough smarts to get Bugsy on board.
Dandy Dan - Martin Lev Sadly, after battling M.E. Martin Lev passed away in 1992 having not pursued a career in acting following Bugsy Malone.
Dandy Dan was an immaculate character always turned out in the best tailored suits with his moustache waxed just so and his hat tilted at just the right angle. He was a scheming man and often reminded me both physically and characteristically of a rat. Where Fat Sam didn't have the money or organisation to control the city, Dandy Dan did and he was determined to see him fall.
Tallulah - Jodie Foster We all know of Jodie Foster's successful career. Bugsy was far from her first acting role but her performance was still outstanding. Although only fourteen, Foster played Tallulah as a sultry, sophisticated and wise woman who had been around the block a bit. Tallulah didn't start the film as the nicest of people and certainly gave Blousey cause to reconsider her decision to move to the city.
She is the star of the show and Fat Sam's moll, but secretly holds a torch for Bugsy. Her jealousy is certainly a reason why she is quite nasty to Blousey. You can't help but feel a sense of loneliness from her which is hard for any actor to portray, let alone a fourteen year old girl.
Supporting Cast Bugsy Malone has a huge cast and some absolutely phenomenal supporting actors. Unfortunately, we would be here all day if I tried to write about them all individually but keep your eyes out for Baby Face, Leroy, and knuckles.
***What were the special effects like*** It being 1976 when Bugsy was made, there weren't any flashing screens or super-imposed Dinosaurs appearing out of nowhere. Instead this film relied on great sets, great acting and fantastic choreography. Even today, you will be hard pressed to find a fight scene as exciting as those you find in Bugsy Malone. The last scene in which a huge brawl breaks out in Fat Sam's club between his boys and those of Dandy Dan's is just magical to watch.
***What was the music like*** All the music was in fact dubbed over by adult singers however, if you like show tunes and great adrenalin pumping chants you will love the music. "Bad Guys" is one of my favourites sung by all the gangsters, and Tallulah's show song "My name is Tallulah" is fantastically entertaining but my absolute favourite is "Down and Out." This is the song sang when Bugsy is trying to recruit a bunch of workmen to join him against Dandy Dan. The scene sees the workers dancing on table tops and jumping around in expertly choreographed style to this fabulous, uplifting and motivating song. Even I wanted to join Fat Sam's gang when I heard it!
I'm not sure I would want to listen to the CD driving in the car or while reading a book, but when it is incorporated with this fantasy film it is perfect and you will find more than just your foot tapping no matter how hard you resist!
***What did I think of it*** They just don't make films like this anymore. Budgets for filming may be ten times higher now, but the scale of this film is unbeatable. It is funny as anything and entertaining from beginning until the very end. The kids involved outshone many of today's A list Actors with their charisma, style, and energy. This isn't a cute film simply because cute kids are dressed up to look like grown ups. It is so much more than that.
There is a witty and well thought out script, kids with an abundance of raw talent, music to lift the lowest spirits, gun fights and car chases which will see you rolling on the floor with laughter while still holding your breath with the suspense and there is romance to rival the likes of Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing. All of this combines to create an ageless one in a million film which can be enjoyed by kids and adults worldwide. If you haven't seen this yet, you really, really must!
***Trivia*** All the cast were 16 or under at the time of filming
In 2003 Bugsy Malone was voted #19 in a Channel 4 list of 100 greatest musicals before The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and The King and I.
Alan Parker went to a Brooklyn school looking for a kid to play the Fat Sam character and asked for the naughtiest kid in class. Everyone said it was John Cassissi which led to him being awarded the part.
Florrie Dugger was only meant to play a bit part in the film. It was only when the original actor cast to play Blowsey took a growth spurt, becoming taller than Scott Baio that Florrie was asked to replace her.
The film was nominated for an Oscar along with a further Nine industry awards and won five.
***Quotes*** Dandy Dan: Okay fellas, this is it. This is our moment. Keep a cool head and keep those fingers pumpin' 'cause remember, it's history we're writing.
Tallulah: I like my men at my feet
Bugsy: Blousey Brown - Sounds like a stale loaf of bread
Bugsy Malone: Have you eaten? Blousey Brown: Ever since I was a kid. Bugsy Malone: Then how come you're so skinny, wisey? Blousey Brown: Because I watch my weight. Bugsy Malone: Yeah, I do that when I'm broke too.
Showgirl: I'm giving up guys. They're nothing but trouble, believe me. From now on, I'm looking for husbands. and I ain't getting too attached. I'm gonna change 'em regular, like a library book!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
Excellent review covering the film and the characters well. I loved this film as a child and have the video and CD, but haven't got round to updating it to dvd yet. Rachel x
donovan74 01.09.2006 12:47
yeah i seem to remember now a young jodie foster and those pedal cars. nice review.
Remember that scene in Jerry Maguire where the title character suddenly realises the ... more
foolhardiness of his impulsively written manifesto? That's how director Alan Parker (Mississippi Burning) ought to feel every day of his life since making this dopey, ...
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![Bugsy Malone [DVD] [1976]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/81240001.jpg "Bugsy Malone [DVD] [1976]")
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