The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: The Roaring Twenties
| Movie | The Roaring Twenties |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | Raoul Walsh |
| Genre | Crime / Drama / Thriller |
| Runtime | 104 minutes (1h 44m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Roaring Twenties (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Roaring Twenties are led by James Cagney . The supporting cast, including Priscilla Lane and Humphrey Bogart , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Roaring Twenties stands out as a strong entry in the Crime 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 Crime narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Roaring Twenties 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 Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Roaring Twenties
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, The Roaring Twenties is a Crime, Drama, Thriller film directed by Raoul Walsh, written by Robert Rossen. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving James Cagney as Eddie Bartlett.
Ending Explained: The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties Ending Explained: After World War I, Armistice Lloyd Hart goes back to practice law, former saloon keeper George Hally turns to bootlegging, and out-of-work Eddie Bartlett becomes a cab driver. Directed by Raoul Walsh, this 1939 crime film stars James Cagney (Eddie Bartlett), alongside Priscilla Lane as Jean Sherman, Humphrey Bogart as George Hally, Gladys George as Panama Smith. Rated 7.5/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Roaring Twenties?
After World War I, Armistice Lloyd Hart goes back to practice law, former saloon keeper George Hally turns to bootlegging, and out-of-work Eddie Bartlett becomes a cab driver. Eddie builds a fleet of cabs through delivery of bootleg liquor and hires Lloyd as his lawyer. George becomes Eddie's partner and the rackets flourish until love and rivalry interfere.
Raoul Walsh's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on James Cagney (Eddie Bartlett)'s journey. Eddie builds a fleet of cabs through delivery of bootleg liquor and hires Lloyd as his lawyer.
How Does James Cagney (Eddie Bartlett)'s Story End?
- James Cagney: James Cagney's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Raoul Walsh delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 44m runtime.
- Priscilla Lane (Jean Sherman): Priscilla Lane's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Humphrey Bogart (George Hally): Humphrey Bogart's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Roaring Twenties Mean?
The ending of The Roaring Twenties ties together the narrative threads involving James Cagney. Raoul Walsh chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Roaring Twenties Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Roaring Twenties Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Roaring Twenties draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Raoul Walsh and starring James Cagney, this crime, drama, thriller film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Roaring Twenties
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: The Roaring Twenties successfully adapts real-world inspiration into a compelling cinematic story. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Roaring Twenties?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Crime cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Where to Watch The Roaring Twenties Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Roaring Twenties Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about The Roaring Twenties age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Roaring Twenties (1939) is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Directed by Raoul Walsh, the film runs for 104 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Roaring Twenties is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Roaring Twenties worth watching?
The Roaring Twenties is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Roaring Twenties parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Roaring Twenties identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Roaring Twenties (1939)?
The runtime of The Roaring Twenties (1939) is 104 minutes (approximately 1h 44m).
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.
