about_faces ([info]about_faces) wrote,
2010-08-28 16:43:00
  • Previous
  • Memorize
  • Share
  • Next

The original coin-flipping mobster

George Raft in the original (and far superior) SCARFACE:



Every coin-flipping gangster from a LOONEY TUNES cartoon originates directly from Raft's character in Howard Hawks' controversial gangster masterpiece, which has sadly been overshadowed by DePalma's cheese-tastic 80's-fest with Al Pacino. The cleverness of Bob Kane was to actually give Harvey a reason to flip the coin, rather than having it be a character habit. Not just a reason, but a whole philosophy!

Raft's character never has any purpose to flip the coin. He just does it, probably because it's cool and menacing. And it is, as anyone who's seen SCARFACE can attest. If you haven't yet, I wholeheartedly urge you to do so.
Tags: the coin

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch

    Your IP address will be recorded 

     
    Help
  • 4 comments

[info]aliasjack

August 29 2010, 03:04:54 UTC 1 year ago

Kane...or Finger?
i admit i tend to give Kane very little credit for any of the creative process, but that's only because he was entirely a bastard

[info]thehefner

August 29 2010, 03:25:01 UTC 1 year ago

Funny, I was actually working on addressing this very question in a big upcoming post. While I am very hesitant to give Kane much credit in the process, since there always seems to be a question of how much was his and how much was Finger's (or Jerry Robinson's), all accounts I've found thus far credit the entirety of Two-Face to Kane.

[info]abqreviews

August 29 2010, 20:23:10 UTC 1 year ago

Funnily enough, a few years ago there was a(quickly disproved) urban legend about an unmade Orson Welles BATMAN film, where Raft would play Two-Face.

And on the subject of SCARFACE(1931), guess who taught Raft the coin gimmick? None other than Boris Karloff himself.

I prefer the idea of Dent getting the coin from his father, but if someone wants to needlessly retcon his origin again(like that stupid-ass TWO FACE: YEAR ONE thing from a few years back), maybe they could tie it in with Raft by having Basil Karlo give Harvey the coin.


[info]thehefner

September 1 2010, 00:42:07 UTC 1 year ago

I remember that! I think it was Mark Millar who started that rumor. I almost bought it up until I read the Raft casting, and then knew it was total bullshit. Too pat, Millar, far too pat.

Man, now I love Karloff even more! Even though I'm compelled to only say his name aloud now ala Landau's venomous Lugosi. "Kar-LOFF!" While I'm totally married to the concept of the coin coming from Harvey's father, the old school movie fan in me would certainly enjoy tying it to Karlo like that!
Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Facebook Twitter More login options
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…