Scarface: A Dangerous Film
The 1932 film titled “Scarface” was considered one of the most outrageous gangster films. The film contained actions of murder to both criminals and innocent victims. The characters of the film were immoral and consumed with greed to achieve the goal of immediate wealth. “Scarface” was directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes in as little as eleven days (MacAdams, 1988, p. 125) The film is based on actual events of real gangsters in Chicago such as Al Capone, Deanie O’Bannion and Johny Torrio. The Motion Picture Producers and Distributor of America, known as the Hay’s Office demanded Scarface to be censored. “The Hays Office adopted a preproduction censorship system that attempted to prevent questionable material, both moral and political from reaching the screen” (Black, 1994, p.6). Local and State censorship groups’ believed gangster films would corrupt America’s youth. The implication of these films portrayed gangsters as heroes as opposed to the police. Howard Hughes bitterly complied in adjusting several scenes in order to meet the censorship’s standards. I believe Scarface uncensored is a dangerous film in that the criminals’ punishment was not satisfactorily vindicated. The final provisions created by Howard Hughes made an improvement to the script by showing America that crime will not be tolerated. Scarface created a national uproar amongst both state and local censorship groups, yet I feel it is not the groups’ decision to decide what we should or should not see. Even though the film received negative criticism from the censorship groups, I am not in opposition to the entertainment technology of this film. As an individual, I am free to speak, act, think, choose and accept whatever I encounter. Writers, producers, and directors all share the same freedom.
Tony Camonte played by the actor Paul Muni is a bodyguard for “Big Louie” who is the gang leader of the Southside. The film begins with “Big Louie” bidding his last party guest goodnight. His waiter begins to clean the party’s remains. “The tables and floors are littered with confetti, the waiter stoops and picks up a discarded bra” (Black, 1994, p.126). Once Big Louie’s guests depart, he heads to a phone booth to make a call. Slowly, a shadow of a whistling man approaches him. Big Louie recognizes this man and greets him. Suddenly, the faceless man removes a gun from his coat and shoots Big Louie watching his body fall to the ground. The screen fades to black. The following scene indicates who the murderer is, Tony “Scarface” Camonte. The police suspect Tony due to the word on the streets that involves Tony’s association with Big Louie’s rival “Johny Lovo”. But the police have no evidence and allow Tony to walk free. Later, it is revealed that Tony murders Big Louie for a large sum of money paid by Lovo. This murderous act committed by Tony reveals his first character flaw, a treacherous traitor. In exchange for money, Tony betrays his employer by taking Louie’s life. Lovo who coercingly takes leadership of the Southside employs Tony to be his right hand man. Lovo invites Tony to his luxurious apartment for the payoff of Big Louie’s murder. Tony is introduced to Lovo’s moll, Poppy (Karen Morley) “who is plucking her eyebrows in the next room in a very short, revealing slip. Through an open door Tony leers at her and Poppy, quite aware of being watched, enjoys it. She makes no effort to cover up” (Black, 1994, p.127).