CLASSIC FILM YOU'VE NEVER SEEN: White Heat

James Cagney, the original psychotic gangster, delivers a tour de force performance in this film noir classic film.

This may be shocking to some, but classic movies actually extend beyond the 80’s. Are you sitting down? Some were even filmed in black and white. Shocking, I know. If you can get past these realities, you'll open up an entire world of cinematic masterpieces you never knew existed or thought you’d actually enjoy. I find watching an old movie, especially a classic from the days of the studio system when actors were treated more like indentured servants than artists, comforting. They're escapist fun and draw you in, opening your mind to a time and place up until this point, you’ve probably only ready about in history class.

Trust me on this, it’s worth checking your preconceived notions about classic film at the door. Sure, the special effects aren’t CGI or the most sophisticated, but the snappy dialogue delivered by some of the silver screen’s greatest stars, original scripts and the stylish wardrobes more than make up for this fact.

Let’s start with something that may appeal to your inner “Scarface” or “Goodfellas” -

WHITE HEAT, starring James Cagney. It's a 1949 film noir about a ruthless, psychotic criminal

with a mommy complex. When his mother dies, a distraught Cody breaks out of jail, gets his gang back together and tries to execute a payroll heist. Cagney is soo charismatic, you actually root for him, despite his murderous ways. Virginia Mayo plays a femme fatale like no other - spoiled, petulant and out for herself. The action moves fast and will leave you on the edge of your seat. Cagney's breakdown scene when he learns about his mother's murder while in prison, is Oscar-worthy and the climactic crescendo is pure pablum, but thoroughly satisfying, nonetheless.

Available on TCM On Demand or Amazon Prime.