Some stars just seem tailor-made for a certain genre. There is just something about them, be it their look or just their essence as a person that feels at home when they are performing in that arena. Take for example John Wayne, a man who never seemed better suited for a role than when he was acting in a classic western. While he was terrific in nearly any role, James Cagney was a man destined to be in gangster films. This fact was so irrefutable that Cagney often battled with being typecast after classic turns in pictures such as The Public Enemy, Angels With Dirty Faces and The Roaring Twenties. This is what makes his appearance in the 1939 gangster film Each Dawn I Die from director William Keighley such an interesting entry in his filmography. Rather than take the typical gangster role that would seem like a no-brainer for Cagney, he instead took the morally righteous center of the film and co-star George Raft (Some Like It Hot) would inhabit the showy gangster role. This playing against type made the film seem even more fresh and launched it to one of Warner Bros. most successful films of the year.
This is a tale of crooked dealings and the powers that look to take on the corruption of the establishment. Cagney plays Frank Ross, an intrepid reporter who is on the verge of taking down a crooked district attorney who is about to make a leap to governor. When Ross sees something incriminating and refuses to back down from his crusade, the D.A. arranges for Ross to be framed for a crime. He may not have intended for it to be automotive manslaughter, but there are three dead bodies after Ross is knocked unconscious, soaked in whiskey and put behind the wheel of a car. Who would ever believe Ross when he says he was not driving drunk, a crime he has publicly denounced again and again in the columns of his paper? The sentence is swift; he is facing down a stint of one to twenty years, and he can only hope that his colleagues, led by his sweetheart Joyce (Jane Bryan, Kid Galahad), will find evidence to exonerate him.
While he is a model of virtue in the outside world, even the most innocent of souls have to adapt to a life of incarceration. Frank becomes unexpected pals with “Hood” Stacey (George Raft), a gangster who is in for 199 years and is something of a leader in the clink. Stacey has his enemies who he deals with in his own ways, but even Frank understands the importance of loyalty in a place such as this. In all of his years of dealing with no-good, rotten scoundrels, Stacey has never really met anyone who is “on the level” – someone you can trust without it coming back to bite you – but Frank displays an integrity that might just make him qualify. The dynamic between Cagney and Raft is electric. Cagney is quietly ferocious in his reserved role, while Raft has all of the qualities that makes an effective gangster personality. His swagger in the role is beyond reproach. It takes a real “bad guy” like Stacey in order for vindication to happen for a guy such as Frank. Stacey has already buried bodies, so he knows how to uncover those buried by others.
In addition to being a fast-paced gangster flick, Each Dawn I Die also offers up some pointed commentary on the penal system in our country that feels just as relevant today as it did eighty years ago. The powers that be in the prison like to use solitary confinement as a means of punishment, a practice which slowly unravels the mind of those who have to endure it. It is more than a bit radical for a movie at this time to so blatantly tackle this along with the abuse that prisoners have to endure from over-eager guards. Most of these prisoners are inside for a reason, but there still needs to be a baseline of respect established so that people are not being abused beyond what the law has sentenced. At just ninety minutes long, Each Dawn I Die moves along at an exhilarating pace that culminates in a finale that is thrilling and a bit gut-wrenching. Every element has come together to make a feature that is wildly entertaining and expertly crafted. It is a great entry into a genre that often does not get praised enough for the depth of the narrative.
Video Quality
Warner Archive presents Each Dawn I Die for the first time on Blu-Ray with 1080p transfer sourced from a 4K scan of the best surviving nitrate elements. You can always count on Warner Archive to deliver quality work, and the image is nothing short of stunning for a film that is over eighty years old. This black and white feature has nice, natural film grain throughout that provides a great amount of detail to the image. The presentation has a pleasing amount of depth to it including in the shadows where there is no evidence of any black crush. Print damage is virtually nonexistent to these eyes throughout the duration of the movie. It is always amazing to see how film preservation can bring new life to a film, and Warner Archive has reached perfection with this release.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray release comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that sounds simply wonderful. George Raft has the prototypical gangster delivery that always comes through crystal clear. As a matter of fact, none of the sound effects or the evocative score from Max Steiner ever overpowers the dialogue on this release. The more kinetic sequences including tussling in the prison or the climactic free-for-all are appropriately lively in the speakers. There does not appear to be any damage or age related wear to the track. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles available on the disc for those who need it. Overall, this is an excellent audio presentation that gives the material the life it deserves.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Film Historian and Curator of the Warner Bros. Archive at USC Haden Guest provides a really impressive and thoughtful commentary track in which he not only provides historical context for the film in terms of cinema but the world at large. This is a great track that only enhances my love for the film.
- Vintage Newsreel: A minute-and-a-half news bulletin that gives some updates on the war efforts is provided here.
- Documentary Short – A Day at Santa Anita: An 18-minute short film from 1937 in which an orphaned horse-trainer’s daughter proves to be a good luck charm when she bonds with a horse. Not sure why this is listed as a documentary, but it is an interesting watch despite being filled with cliches.
- Oscar-Nominated Classic Cartoon – Detouring America: An eight-minute Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Tex Avery which takes you on a tour around America while a man climbs the Empire State Building. There are some problematic elements, but overall it’s a fun short.
- 1939’s Wings of the Navy Trailer: A three-minute trailer for the film shown in the prison during Each Dawn I Die is presented here.
- Stool Pigeons and Pine Overcoats – The Language of Gangster Films: A 21-minute archival piece in which figures such as Robert Evans, Frank Miller, Lili Fini Zanuck, Larry Cohen, Michael Madsen, Martin Scorsese and more discuss the appeal of classic gangster films with a passion and love that is wonderful to experience. A very insightful piece worth checking out.
- Breakdowns of 1939 – Studio Blooper Reel: A nearly 15-minute collection of classic Warner stars messing up takes. The fact that blooper reels have almost always been around pleases me.
- Cartoon – Each Dawn I Crow: An eight-minute Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Friz Freleng which takes its title from our main movie. In this amusing short, a rooster does its best to not get an axe to the neck.
- Lux Radio Theater Broadcast: A 58-minute radio broadcast of the story is provided here with George Raft reprising his role from the film alongside Franchot Tone (Mutiny on the Bounty), Lynn Bari and Norman Field.
- Re-Issue Trailer: A nearly two-minute trailer is provided here which does a good job of selling the film.
Final Thoughts
Each Dawn I Die is a real gem of a film that makes the wise choice to allow James Cagney and George Raft show their range by playing against type. The film itself is an explosive little narrative that shines a spotlight on the harsh nature of solitary confinement and systemic brutality in our penal system. It also happens to be incredibly entertaining in its tightly packed runtime. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray that will bring a tear to your eye with its miraculous A/V presentation and a nice assortment of special features. If you appreciate classic gangster tales or prison features, this one will be a fun discovery. Highly Recommended
Each Dawn I Die will be available to purchase on April 27, 2021 from various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
