Bugsy Malone
Directed by: Alan Parker
Written by: Alan Parker
Produced By: Alan Marshall
Starring: Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, John Cassisi, Florrie Dugger
Music by: Paul Williams
Production Company: Goodtimes Enterprises, Robert Stigwood Organisation
Release dates: March September 15, 1976
Content: General
Plot: The story starts in the prohibition era, where a mobster named Roxy Robinson is "splurged" by members of a rival gang, using rapid-fire cream-shooting "splurge guns". Once splurged, a gangster is "all washed up... finished" and not necessarily dead. Mob boss Fat Sam Staccetto introduces himself in the opening narration, as well as introducing Bugsy Malone, a penniless boxing promoter who is 'a little too popular with the broads... but a nice guy' known as ("Bugsy Malone").
At Fat Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy, there is much dancing and singing ("Fat Sam's Grand Slam"). Fat Sam rants about the loss of Roxy, who was one of his best men, laying the blame on up-and-coming rival mob boss Dandy Dan and worried that Dan is trying to take control of his criminal empire. Blousey Brown, an aspiring singer and actress, has come for an audition at the speakeasy, but Sam is too distracted to see her. Bugsy meets Blousey when he trips over her luggage; he is instantly smitten and attempts to flirt with her. Just then, Fat Sam's is raided by Dandy Dan's men who shoot up the place. Over the next few weeks Dan's men continue to attack Fat Sam's empire, eventually taking over all of Sam's moneymaking rackets and splurging members of Fat Sam's gang until only the speakeasy remains. Sam sends all his available men except his personal enforcer Knuckles, to see if they can track down the guns but they are ambushed at a laundry and splurged by Dandy Dan's gang (Yes they are the "Bad Guys").
End of Spoilers
Review: Bugsy Malone is a quirky 1976 mobster musical. With a phenomenal all-child cast including a teenage Jodie Foster, catchy musical tunes, and lots of creativity, this movie offers original family entertainment. The depiction of children using weapons and attacking each other was deemed to violent. Even though the weapons they used shot marshmallows that splattered when they hit. The whole film was more tongue in cheek than actual violence. As for the story itself, it centres on Bugsy Malone who has a heart for the underdog. This film helped launch many young actors and actresses. To name three it helped Jodie Foster, Scott Baio and John Cassisi. Who each went on to find stardom in their own rights. The story involves Friendships, Awkward Romance, Flirting, Mock Gun Fights, Dancing, Cream Pies, Speakeasies, Fake Booze and an epic finale with plenty of fighting, music, singing and friendly closure.
I enjoyed this and would say it's not half as bad as some people have tried to make it out to be.
M J Flack