The Rise And Fall Of Legs Diamond (Remastered)

When that Budd Boetticher Westerns box set came out many years ago, my eyeballs devoured it like the hungry film-loving peepers that they are, and I got to talking about the Director with a guy that knew a lot more about movies than almost anyone else I know.After informing me about every nook and cranny of Boetticher's contributions to the Western genre (and he talks fast so I'm hanging on every bit of info that I can process), he followed up by stating "what you need to see is The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond". So I filed it away in the think-bank of my sputtering brain.Time marched on…and still no sign of…wait! the Warner Brothers Archive Collection has a Remastered print available! Amazon has it! It's in the shopping cart! It's at my doorstep! I'm watching it! I watched it!Ahem. I can't remember seeing Ray Danton (who plays Legs here) before, but this was a great performance; understated, confident, and hard-as nails. Nowadays we call them sociopaths, but back in the Depression era they were probably just good old fashioned cold-hearted, selfish, and determined-to-win heavies.Danton brings the quiet, menacing intensity so well that the other actors suffer for it, though they all turn in genuine performances. A young fresh-faced Warren Oates (who also appeared in The Untouchables around this time) plays Legs' sickly brother; though this 1960 role, while adequate, doesn't do much to forecast the talented acting that was to come from the man.Nonetheless, this is a fast-paced, well-written and efficiently-directed crime-drama that delivers just what the title promises. The set design is top-notch and pleases the eye even moreso as the tension builds, Legs Diamond preparing to dazzle us with the pressure-cooker of his pent-up hostility.I am glad to have seen it and to finally have it in my collection to view again and again.

Love this movie. Great plot, great acting and it moves quickly, you are never bored. The quality of the DVD is excellent.

Saw this when I was young and remembered it fondly. So good to have on DVD. Ray Danton was great in the starring role ( before he moved behind the cameras to greater success in Hollywood). Karen Steele was great moll--gorgeous and somehow innocent of knowledge of Legs' fearsome reputation. Plus the small part of Warren Oates as the sickly brother. When you've seen a movie 50 years ago and still remember it fondly--it belongs in your collection. Recommended to all fans of the old-time gangsters movies, filmed as the genre had lot of its box office appeal (it was part of a double feature when I first saw it. Highly recommended.

This was a Christmas gift, for a dear friend. I thought it would make a great companion gift with the "Al Capone" film starring the great Rod Strived.Thank you. 👍👍😀

This is a cheap, studio bound gangster film. As good as Boettichers' "The Killer is Loose" is, this is as bad. With the exception of one scene of Leggs stealing a diamond necklace through a mens room window, not an ounce of creativity or drive. Any episode of the Untouchables is far better. Certainly don't waste $1.99 to rent it, at least wait till is free on Prime, and that's ONLY if you are very bored and have nothing else to do.

I ALWAYS LIKE RAY DANNON ON TV SHOWS. I NEVER KNEW HE WAS A BIG STAR AT ONE TIME.I LOVE OLD MOBSTER MOVIES SO I SAW HIM IN IT AND IT WAS WORTH IT. WARREN OATES ISHIS YOUNGER BROTHER IS GREAT. VERY WELL MADE AND ACTED. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS WASN'TEVER RUN ON LATE NIGHT MOVIES. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Legs diamond based on a true story good old action and drama a dancer who became public enemy no 1made in the late 50s with a style of 30s an 40s gangster films look for a young dyan cannon who plays Dixie lots of great shootout s an great print watch. Enjoy of a by gone era

This is an early 1960's gangster film starring Ray Danton as Legs Diamond. Danton is just about perfect in this role. The atmosphere and setting of Diamond's rise to success in the rackets is traced in a very convincing style. The film is in black and white, and this really helps the atmosphere of the movie. I rate this movie highly!

Excellent

Not for the first time, nor the second, I am having to return a disc because Amazon's cataloguing falsely claims there are English subtitles.

Thoughtful and well-acted crime melodrama, quite an accurate portrayal of Diamond. Conte is excellent in the main role.

It is quite old-fashioned for modern taste, but watchable. Hero handsome and charismatic, story clunks rather. Black and white a Capone-era tale.

Bought for my Dad