MovieChat Forums > The Roaring Twenties (1939) Discussion > Reversing Bogart's and Cagney's Roles

Reversing Bogart's and Cagney's Roles

posted 8 years ago by dawnbaxter34
3 replies | jump to latest

Hypothetically speaking, would the film have worked better if Bogart had played the noble Eddie and Cagney the mean low-down George? I could imagine Cagney playing the role the same way he did in White Heat.

Eddie: I trust my friends.
George: That guys a sucker. I don't trust any of my friends.
Panama: The feeling's mutual, George. They don't trust you either.

[–] aciolino 8 years ago

No, I don't see that working at all. I think both actors were perfectly cast. Bogart, too dark for the up-tempo, energy driven Eddie. Cagney, although he COULD play the heavy, is just too likable (particularly at this age) to have pulled off the socio-pathic George.

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

I agree. It was perfectly cast.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 7 years ago

He's only Humphry Bogart when he's smokin but Johnny Cash when he's tokin