The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Produced and directed by king of the B movies, Roger Corman. A factual telling of the events leading to and following the bloody St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago. Considered real violent when released in '67, but pretty tame by today's standards. Still a very good movie to watch. Of course this is minor league stuff compared to the likes of THE GODFATHER and GOODFELLAS. This film is crammed full of stars and character actors. My only complaint is having Jason Robards playing Al Capone. To me he was not ruthless enough to play "Scarface". Other well known stars appearing are Ralph Meeker, Joseph Campanella, Harold Stone, Alex Rocco, George Segal and David Canary. Watch for small parts for Bruce Dern and Jack Nicholson.

Very talented "painter", Roger Corman. You will see absolutely extraordinary performances by great actors such as: Jason Robards, George Segal, Ralph Meeker, Bruce Dern, Jean Hale and a few others. In a role of just a few seconds, a very young Jack Nicholson.

"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" was the first major studio/big budget film made by Roger Corman. And, as you'd expect with this master of economical filming, it was finished ahead of schedule and with money to spare! The story is told semi-documentary style. There is narration throughout by Paul Frees and then the actors act out their parts. The film is not just about the mass killing but all the events leading up to it as well as an epilogue telling the sad finales of these folks. With an exceptional cast of excellent supporting actors, Roger Corman directing and a gritty sense of realism, you can't help but like and appreciate this movie. It's not film noir...more ultra-realism with the actual names and events depicted as we know or suspect they occurred. Well worth your time.

Why is it that people quibble about Jason Robards not looking like Capone? Many actors who have played him, from F. Murray Abraham to William Forsythe, really didn't resemble him. Maybe it's because this film attempts a semi-documentary approach. Perhaps it's the most accurate Hollywood drama on Capone, but the other semi-documentaries of the time (such as Fox's own THE LONGEST DAY), had the look and lighting that reminded a viewer of a documentary, while this one doesn't. In fact, its style is more evocative of a 1930's Warner Bros. gangster film. Even George Segal's bullying the bartender and his mashing his girlfriend's face with food are bits very comparable to ones Cagney does in THE PUBLIC ENEMY. Segal playing a mean Cagney-type might seem very offbeat casting, but in this film it works, because all its casting is offbeat--even deliciously over the top. It's a lot of fun.