Gangs of New York

Charles Bickford (Rocky) looks Irish. And he plays an Irish mafia boss in New York who gets released after 5 years to get straight back into hoodlum killing activities. However, on his release, he is put into a private cell and a double who works for the police is sent undercover in his place to infiltrate his gang and bring all criminal behaviour to an end. However, whilst he has the looks and attitude, he must also convince the gang members, the gangster's girlfriend Wynne Gibson (Orchid) and her dog that he is the genuine person. People gradually begin to question his authenticity and there is always the possibility that the real gangster will break free and turn up on the scene. Guess what?

Bickford has a dual role in this film which gets better as it goes on. It's nothing earth-shatteringly good - it's ok. You can pretty much tell what is going to happen and that is exactly what happens. We have some shooting at the end and there are no surprises. It's a straightforward narrative. Shame that henchman Harold Huber (Panatella) plays for comedy but I guess it humanizes him more than the other cardboard cut-out gangster associates. The best tension comes from Wynne Gibson and the new girl on the block Ann Dvorak (Connie) in their scenes together - you can see Gibson is up for a fight. It would also have been good to see Michael Flatley doing some Irish dancing and some leprechauns drinking Guinness for added authenticity. As it stands, the film is pretty unbelievable.