Review of Bugsy Malone (1976) by Aidan L — 10 Mar 2008

An interesting concept that pulls it off in production design but lacks in script and acting half the time. It's a movie that casts kids in a 1930's gangster movie with some song and dance numbers.

I love the cars which are peddle cars made to look like they're from the 1930s. The splurge guns which cover the victim in mashed potato are genius as well turning the final scene into a food fight rather than a scarface killing spree.

Out of all the actors John Cassisi (Fat Sam) and Jodie Foster (Tallulah, the bitchy head dancing girl at Fat Sam's Speakeasy) and to some extent Martin Lev Dandy Dan are the most enjoyable characters. The central Romance between Scott Baio (Bugsy Malone and Chachi off Happy Days) and Florrie Dugger (Blousy, who oddly never wears a blouse) is a little mute mainly as Florrie Dugger tries to look a Faye Dunaway type but in many a scene she has a zombiesh glare which irritates. Also the chemistry between some of the kid actors doesn't quite work. Special mention to Dexter Fletcher though, who's small Cameo as Babyface late in the movie was inspired and informs some of his later career.

Best Song by the way is the Boxing version of 'We could've been anyone we wanted to be'.