roslein-674-874556 Review of Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)

Cagney is the only good thing in it--and he's not that good

[6/10 · 13 January 2014]

A confusing script (which begins in a very plodding, lecturing way, with a prosecuting attorney's speech at a trial) is only one of this film's problems. The low budget shows in the cast of mostly untalented and unattractive performers who are not helped by the utter lack of conviction about this movie. The story makes no sense--Cagney has all sorts of plots going on, which conflict with one another, and relations with two women, toward both of whom he seems to have no very strong feelings. The movie code regulations make it ridiculous for the sexy gangster Cagney is supposed to be, but believable for this phlegmatic con man, that on his wedding night he and his wife are in separate beds and he's wearing pajamas! It's also the sort of movie in which Cagney, who was 50 at the time, and looks and moves accordingly, is addressed as "young man." Fitfully interesting, but only if you don't expect much.