Angels Wash Their Faces Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: Angels Wash Their Faces
| Movie | Angels Wash Their Faces |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | Ray Enright |
| Genre | Drama / Romance |
| Runtime | 86 minutes (1h 26m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Angels Wash Their Faces are led by Ann Sheridan . The supporting cast, including Billy Halop and Bernard Punsly , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Angels Wash Their Faces stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Angels Wash Their Faces has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Angels Wash Their Faces
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, Angels Wash Their Faces is a Drama, Romance film directed by Ray Enright, written by Michael Fessier. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ann Sheridan as Joy Ryan.
Ending Explained: Angels Wash Their Faces
Angels Wash Their Faces Ending Explained: A young man just released from a reformatory moves to a new neighborhood with his sister, intending to start a new life. Directed by Ray Enright, this 1939 drama film stars Ann Sheridan (Joy Ryan), alongside Billy Halop as William "Billy" Shafter, Bernard Punsly as Luke "Sleepy" Arkelian (as Bernard Punsley), Leo Gorcey as Leo Finnegan. With a 6.7/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Angels Wash Their Faces?
A young man just released from a reformatory moves to a new neighborhood with his sister, intending to start a new life. However, he gets mixed up with the local mob boss and corrupt politicians and soon finds himself being framed for an arson and murder he didn't commit.
Ray Enright's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Ann Sheridan (Joy Ryan)'s journey. However, he gets mixed up with the local mob boss and corrupt politicians and soon finds himself being framed for an arson and murder he didn't commit.
How Does Ann Sheridan (Joy Ryan)'s Story End?
- Ann Sheridan: Ann Sheridan's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Billy Halop (William "Billy" Shafter): Billy Halop's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Bernard Punsly (Luke "Sleepy" Arkelian (as Bernard Punsley)): Bernard Punsly's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Angels Wash Their Faces Mean?
Angels Wash Their Faces's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Ann Sheridan may feel rushed. Ray Enright's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
Angels Wash Their Faces Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Angels Wash Their Faces Based on a True Story?
No, Angels Wash Their Faces is a work of fiction. While the drama, romance film directed by Ray Enright and starring Ann Sheridan may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Angels Wash Their Faces?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ann Sheridan or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
At just 86 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Angels Wash Their Faces Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about Angels Wash Their Faces age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Directed by Ray Enright, the film runs for 86 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, Angels Wash Their Faces is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Angels Wash Their Faces worth watching?
Angels Wash Their Faces is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Angels Wash Their Faces parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Angels Wash Their Faces identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Angels Wash Their Faces (1939)?
The runtime of Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) is 86 minutes (approximately 1h 26m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.




