AMAZING JUDO ACTION!


Was anyone else pleasantly surprised when Cagney pulled out the judo techniques? I was like, "gee, this film can't possibly get any better!" but then it did! Overall a lovely film, rather sobering & disturbing in this day and age as to American perception of the Japanese. There was some anger and racism beneath this film, but it was still enjoyable, and the sentiment was maybe, understandable, seeing as it was made right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

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I'm watching a martial art thing on Encore and it just showed a clip of Cagney doing some clean throws. Think I might pick it up just to watch them again.

01110000 01101111 01101111 01110000

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He threw for an ippon!!!

kp

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if it was made right after Pearl Harbor, how come it wasn't released until 1945?


I think we're the green thingy.

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Good question... But I DID like the film!

Trust me,
Swan

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Yes, definitely one of the best fight scenes in a movie. Cagney was exhibiting his fighting technique and real-life Judo background.

I wonder how the Japanese cinema would have presented the imbecile, alcoholic, boisterous and annoying stereotype of an American? I think they sort of did in the movie actually, ha. This was an era of stereotypes.

"There was some anger and racism beneath this film, but it was still enjoyable, and the sentiment was maybe, understandable, seeing as it was made right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. " - Agreed.

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I can't think of any earlier film that is non asian in origin that features judo or other asian martial arts. Anyone?

Cagney was one really scrappy fighting Irish bantam rooster, wasn't he?

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The fight scene in this movie is my gold standard for fight scenes in any film. When you think of the over-choreographed fights in movies nowadays, just seeing two guys really mix it up is a pleasure. Both actors did a great job.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

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Yes Cagney made some clean shoulder throws but for walking away from the match he had to resort to fisticuffs. At first I thought he was going to use a choke hold but you must be black belt against black belt to use that.

I saw him in another 1930s film as a prize fighter and thought the action was also authentic -- come to think of it -- my sensei called karate "ballet dancing".

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That's one of the things I love about the action in this movie. James Cagney uses a combination of judo and boxing techniques. It's like the great grandfather of MMA.

They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!

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i've never seen cagney this physical and handing out chops, also playing half irish, half norwegian, its also funny to see him towering over other people, makes me think of the family guy bit when two americans find each other on a town square, the leading lady plays great and adds impact to the movie which otherwise is pretty stiff. the version i got of this was in poor quality, a misleading release also, and the cover gives the impression its in colour, its a scandinavian release sold very cheap.



you were like a doll made of stone,
had given up on you a long time ago,
when i didnt expect it at all,
you turned your charm on and played with my soul,
like mystique,
alive came a dry painting,
reached out and left on my soul a wet lipstick,
out of ashes came fire as you sailed out of the seaweed.



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A judo classic!!!

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