By Vlad Zakh · March 17, 2026
George Bancroft brought booming, imposing physicality to early Hollywood film and became one of the silent and early sound era’s most memorable gangster stars. Underworld and Thunderbolt are the gangster highlights, Stagecoach and Angels with Dirty Faces are later classics, Blood Money tests a bail bondsman’s underworld ties, and Whistling in Brooklyn frames a radio detective for murder.
01 George Bancroft appears in this Red Skelton comedy where a radio detective is framed for murder and must clear his name while evading real killers.
Directed by S. Sylvan Simon · 1h 27m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
02 A reformed gangster's return to his old neighbourhood threatens to lead a group of admiring boys astray.
Directed by Michael Curtiz · 1h 37m · Rated NR
Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
03 A diverse group of strangers travelling by stagecoach face danger from outlaws and hostile tribes.
Directed by John Ford · 1h 36m · Rated G
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Stream: Beamafilm · Rent: Amazon Video, Beamafilm · Buy: Amazon Video
04 Chick Chandler features in this crime drama about a crooked bail bondsman with underworld connections who falls for a thrill-seeking socialite.
Directed by Rowland Brown · 1h 05m · Rated NR
05 Fay Wray features in this early sound drama about an imprisoned gangster who schemes to prevent his former girlfriend from marrying an honest bank clerk.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg · 1h 31m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
06 Fred Kohler features in this silent crime drama where a ruthless Chicago gangster's empire begins to crumble because of jealousy, betrayal and a rival.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg · 1h 27m · Rated NR
Stream: Artiflix
Stream: Artiflix · Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Stream: Artiflix
Stream: Artiflix
Stream: Artiflix
Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.
