'The Brand' (1957)

This is almost a scene-by-scene remake of Angels With Dirty Faces (1938.) In the original film a priest (Pat O'Brien) tries to convice convicted murderer James Cagney to break down and weep as he is taken to the electric chair. The reason for this is that The Dead End Kids (also in the movie) look upon Cagney as a fearless hero. By "chickening out" at the last moment O'Brien believes that the kids' idol would be found to have feet of clay, and will not try to emulate him. Now, at the end, Cagney does chicken out, but since the scene is photographed in silhouette, the audience is not sure if Cagney is faking it for the kids' sake, or really terrified.

No such ambiguity exists in The Brand. Edd Byrnes, in the Cagney role, acts cocky and contemptuous until he takes a look at the noose he is going to be hanged with. Then he breaks down.

The Brand was a good episode of the series, well-written, directed and acted. But to tell the truth, I prefer the ambiguity of Angels With Dirty Faces.



EACH DAWN IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE.