Bugsy Malone (1976)

Bugsy Malone Poster

New York, 1929, a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Dan is in possession of a new and deadly weapon, the dreaded "splurge gun". As the custard pies fly, Bugsy Malone, an all-round nice guy, falls for Blousey Brown, a singer at Fat Sam's speakeasy. His designs on her are disrupted by the seductive songstress Tallulah who wants Bugsy for herself.

Film Overview
"Bugsy Malone" is a 1976 musical movie directed by Alan Parker, integrating components of comedy, criminal activity, and drama. Unique in its execution, it represents a gangster motion picture where lead characters-- gangsters and molls-- are specifically portrayed by a younger cast. The movie centers on the titular character, Bugsy Malone, illustrated by Scott Baio, a laconic boxing promoter operating in the covert realm of kid gangs.

Plot Summary
In a world ruled by teen gangs equipped with "splurge guns" that fire cream, Bugsy Malone looks for to browse this chaos. All of it occurs in a former 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago setup, where kids helm the criminal activity scene. The plot removes when Fat Sam, the criminal activity employer managing among the areas, is threatened by the rival Dandy Dan's team equipped with cream-loaded splurge weapons. Recognizing the looming risk, Fat Sam seeks the services of ex-boxer Bugsy Malone.

The story simultaneously showcases a budding romance between Bugsy Malone and an ambitious vocalist, Blousey Brown. She dreams of making it big in Hollywood and gets her possibility when she gets to audition for Fat Sam's club as a singer. Bugsy gets entangled in their affairs and winds up promising Blousey a ticket to Hollywood, regardless of not having any funds.

Conflict and Resolution
The intense rivalry escalates, leading to the "splurging" of Fat Sam's team members, leaving him powerless and worried. As the circumstance spirals out of control, Bugsy should develop a technique to neutralize the danger from Dandy Dan, conserve Fat Sam's speakeasy, and meet his pledge to Blousey.

He encourages the good-hearted Leroy Smith, who just recently exhibited surprising boxing abilities, to enter the ring for a substantial prize that would cater to all of Bugsy's requirements. In a climactic conclusion, a monstrous splurge weapon fight breaks out at Fat Sam's Grand Slam club, leaving the facilities overflown with foam. Bugsy, Blousey, and Smith manage to escape, and Smith wins the boxing match, availing the much-needed funds.

Main Characters
The central characters are Bugsy Malone, depicted by Scott Baio, a pleasant, lovely, and quick-thinking individual, and Fat Sam, played by John Cassisi, often showcasing a more comical aspect to this gangster trope. Florrie Dugger plays Blousey Brown, adding a romantic streak to the criminal offense narrative, while Jodie Foster represents Tallulah, Fat Sam's glamorous girlfriend, with an obvious craft for roles beyond her actual age.

Distinct Style and Recognition
What makes "Bugsy Malone" distinct is the casting of children in adult roles. The movie ingeniously utilizes pie throwers filled with cream to replicate gunplay, and pedal automobiles to change the traditional automobiles, keeping a kid's touch in the middle of a generally adult story. This special storytelling method gathered the film an extensive business and crucial success, making a number of award nominations, including 'Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score' at the 1976 Academy Awards.

Top Cast

  • Scott Baio (small)
    Scott Baio
    Bugsy Malone
  • Jodie Foster (small)
    Jodie Foster
    Tallulah
  • Florrie Dugger (small)
    Florrie Dugger
    Blousey
  • John Cassisi (small)
    John Cassisi
    Fat Sam
  • Martin Lev
    Dandy Dan
  • Paul Murphy (small)
    Paul Murphy
    Leroy Smith
  • Sheridan Earl Russell (small)
    Sheridan Earl Russell
    Knuckles
  • Albin 'Humpty' Jenkins (small)
    Albin 'Humpty' Jenkins
    Fizzy
  • Paul Chirelstein
    Smolsky
  • Andrew Paul (small)
    Andrew Paul
    O'Dreary
  • Davidson Knight
    Cagey Joe