Angels Wash Their Faces
Angels Wash Their Faces

Movie spotlight

Angels Wash Their Faces

1939
Movie
86 min
English

A young man just released from a reformatory moves to a new neighborhood with his sister, intending to start a new life. However, he gets mixed up with the local mob boss and corrupt politicians and soon finds himself being framed for an arson and murder he didn't commit.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: Leo F. ForbsteinGenres: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A young woman framed for a crime she didn't commit navigates the harsh realities of a women's reformatory. Inside, she encounters corruption and brutality, but also forms alliances that help her survive and seek justice. The film explores themes of innocence lost and the fight for survival in a flawed system.

Critical Reception

The film was generally met with mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with particular praise for Ann Sheridan's performance and the dramatic tension. However, some critics found the plot predictable and the social commentary somewhat superficial.

What Reviewers Say

  • Ann Sheridan delivers a compelling performance as a young woman caught in a harsh system.

  • The film effectively portrays the grim realities of a women's reformatory.

  • Despite some predictable plot points, the drama and social commentary hold attention.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Angels Wash Their Faces' is not widely documented on Google platforms. However, reviews that are available tend to highlight the strong performances and the film's dramatic portrayal of its subject matter.

Fun Fact

The film's title is a reference to the slang term 'angel face,' often used to describe a young, seemingly innocent person, which plays into the central character's predicament.

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