Angels with Dirty Faces

Angels with Dirty Faces is a 1938 film which tells the story of two boys, growing up in the slums of New York City, who take different paths -- one becomes a gangster, one a priest. When they meet again as adults, the priest must keep his former friend from corrupting the boys that the priest is trying to keep from a life of crime. It stars James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, George Bancroft, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Gabriel Dell, Huntz Hall and Bernard Punsly. (See Dead End.)

The movie was written by Rowland Brown (story), John Wexley, Warren Duff, Ben Hecht (uncredited) and Charles MacArthur (uncredited). It was directed by Michael Curtiz.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Cagney), Best Director and Best Writing, Original Story.