Bugsy Malone
1976
In this unique mobster movie, Scott Baio heads up a prepubescent cast as the title character, a child gangster determined to rule over New York City. Instead of throwing fists or bullets, the Prohibition-era kiddie mobsters sling confections at one another. When Bugsy learns that a rival gang has developed a secret weapon .. Read more
| Starring | Scott Baio, Jodie Foster, John Cassini, Florrie Dugger |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
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Bugsy Malone
In this unique mobster movie, Scott Baio heads up a prepubescent cast as the title character, a child gangster determined to rule over New York City. Instead of throwing fists or bullets, the Prohibition-era kiddie mobsters sling confections at one another. When Bugsy learns that a rival gang has developed a secret weapon capable of firing sweets as quick as a machine gun shoots bullets, he sets out to heist the high-tech tart-launcher.
BUGSY MALONE, director Alan Parker's first feature, cleverly spoofs the rich, cliche-ridden history of films about organized crime while lightly mocking the childlike, selfish traits of grown-ups. The engaging silliness is periodically spirited forward by several song-and-dance numbers composed by bubblegum pop maestro Paul Williams.
| Starring | Scott Baio, Jodie Foster, John Cassini, Florrie Dugger, John Cassisi |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Studio | OPTIMUM RELEASING |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 35 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 30 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
| Language | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Blu-ray: 23 Jun 2008 Production year: 1976 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Alan Parker's debut feature, following a number of social-realist scripts for the BBC, was a deliberate attempt to get attention. And, by casting children as American gangsters whose Tommy guns fire gunk, Parker achieved his ambition: the movie was the buttered toast of the Cannes film festival and a flamboyant career was under way. Using techniques borrowed from old Hollywood movies, as well as the polish that he learned from his many TV commercials, Parker creates a vibrant pastiche that hovers on the brink of cuteness. The children have an edge to their performances that cuts through sentiment — most notably Jodie Foster, whose extraordinarily slinky speakeasy number, My Name Is Tallulah, is the film's memorable highlight.
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Extremely curious musical gangster spoof with all the parts played by children and the guns shooting ice cream. Very professionally done, but one wonders to whom it is supposed to appeal.
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Wonderfully original, fun film
They don't make too many films like this. This is a musical set in the 1920's revolving around gangsters and lovable rogue Bugsy Malone. But the whole cast are children, guns are 'splurge guns' that cover the victim in cream, and cars are pedalled. Bugsy (Scott Baio), a ladies 'man' and wise guy, gets more than he bargains for when he meets Blousey Brown (Florrie Dugger) and promises to help her to get to Hollywood while fighting off the attention of Tallulah (Jodie Foster), the girlfriend of crime boss Fat Sam (John Cassisi) who is fighting a gang war against Dandy Dan (Martin Lev).
It's a child's world, and I don't think the film would work any other way. The acting is very good considering the fact that there's not one adult in the film, and while the lip-synching of the music with the actors is a bit ropey in places, the songs are very memorable and work well. Personal favourites include 'Bad Guys' and 'So you wanna be a boxer?'.
And just because this film is solely acted by children, doesn't mean the film is solely for children. I'm 23, and I throughly enjoyed it. It made a nice change from the norm, and I recommend it to anyone, any age. -
Most recent members' review
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8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Wonderfully original, fun film
They don't make too many films like this. This is a musical set in the 1920's revolving around gangsters and lovable rogue Bugsy Malone. But the whole cast are children, guns are 'splurge guns' that cover the victim in cream, and cars are pedalled. Bugsy (Scott Baio), a ladies 'man' and wise guy, gets more than he bargains for when he meets Blousey Brown (Florrie Dugger) and promises to help her to get to Hollywood while fighting off the attention of Tallulah (Jodie Foster), the girlfriend of crime boss Fat Sam (John Cassisi) who is fighting a gang war against Dandy Dan (Martin Lev).
It's a child's world, and I don't think the film would work any other way. The acting is very good considering the fact that there's not one adult in the film, and while the lip-synching of the music with the actors is a bit ropey in places, the songs are very memorable and work well. Personal favourites include 'Bad Guys' and 'So you wanna be a boxer?'.
And just because this film is solely acted by children, doesn't mean the film is solely for children. I'm 23, and I throughly enjoyed it. It made a nice change from the norm, and I recommend it to anyone, any age. -
News and features
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21 sticks at top of box office
- 07 Apr 2008
Casino scam movie 21 has held off a charge from George Clooney's latest outing Leatherheads to hold on the top spot at the US box office, according to new figures from Nielsen. The film, which stars Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey, took $15.1 million (£7.59 million) in its second week to stay ahead of Clooney's 1920s-set American Football comedy. Nim's Island, featuring Panic Room and Bugsy Malone star Jodie Foster, made its debut at number three in the chart, followed by animated comedy hit Read more
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