Bullet Points: Suicide Squad (1935)
The action movies that other action movies aspire to be is the summer blockbuster. These films usually have the big budgets, the big stars, and the big advertisement push behind them. Audiences for these action films are often entertained by archetypal heroes doing what they do best, saving the day. However, what happens when an atypical hero, known for causing problems and occasionally bad things, is forced to save the day? Luckily for you, that is the exact premise of Suicide Squad so let’s make a pact and join me on this journey to the Suicide Squad Bullet Points, but don’t worry, I have heard it is painless.
-
Suicide Squad is the nickname for a special section of the Fire Department called the Rescue Patrol. The Rescue Patrol has earned the macabre nickname because they are the ones called when there are bombings, riots, prison breaks, car wrecks, and fires, natch. When we meet our hero Larry Barker (Norman Foster) he is a hapless taxi driver wooing Mary O’Connell (Joyce Compton) the daughter of the head of the Rescue Patrol, Tim O’Connell (Robert Homans.) Larry is struggling to find a job that meets his ambitious nature while trying to impress Mary and her skeptical father. Larry does have support in the O’Connell family from Mother (Aggie Herring) and Mary’s younger brother Mickey (Peter Warren.)
-
After finally deciding to give Larry a chance with the Rescue Patrol, the audience is treated to an outstanding training montage. Said montage, and the rest of the action are top notch because there are no green/blue screens involved. There is no CGI or even computers for that matter. The audience gets to see real stunts and practical effects. Once Larry becomes a member of the Rescue Squad he does not get to be part of the action because he is left doing the menial jobs and always left outside of the burning building or action.
-
In order to impress Mary and her family, Larry makes a deal with his friend Snaps (Phil Kramer), a photographer for the local paper, to give him tips of when and where the disasters strike in exchange for favorable pictures of Larry. At a building bombing, Larry is left outside to keep watch. He neglects his post after he sees bank robbers getting away across the street. After taking the fire truck with Snaps in tow to stop the criminals, Larry is viewed as a hero by the public after being on the front page of the paper. The Rescue Squad thinks he is a four flushing grandstander (perhaps the lowest insult possible) after his actions almost cost the lives of his teammates. Later, at another fire, Larry again neglects his team to save bystanders. Even though he saved the lives of the crowd, Larry is further seen as only out to promote himself and not a part of the team.
-
The last straw for the Rescue Patrol is when Larry leaves his post at another disaster to save the life of Suicide Squader Ed Drake (Jack Luden) his nemesis and fellow wooer for Mary’s attention. Ed’s life is saved, but he fails to mention that Larry is the one who saved him. Larry is forced to resign and goes back to driving a taxi. Working one day, Larry sees an explosion on a ship that happens to have Mary and Mickey on board. Larry is the only one who knows where the victims are and helps the Rescue Patrol in saving everyone. Larry is welcomed back to the team and gets the hand of Mary and respect of Tim and the rest of the Suicide Squad. Hooray, Happy Ending!
Suicide Squad is exactly the kind of summer blockbuster action movie that all other action movies strive to be. It is filled with incredible action and stunts. Well fleshed out characters. A love story that fits in with the narrative. And even some lighthearted moments to make even the most stone-hearted bastards like you smile. Go watch Suicide Squad, it is a very enjoyable movie. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Except, that most of you probably haven’t seen it yet so you sort of have to take my word. For being so understanding, enjoy some Bonus Bullet points…
-
You talking to me?: The best insult comes from mother: “Don’t call a taxi driver a guy.” Take that, all you hacks.
-
Mama’s got a squeeze box: Suicide Squad features the best top-tapping jig ever played on an accordion ever recording on film.
-
Daddy never sleeps at night: Bernard B. Ray, as Raymond K. Johnson, directed Suicide Squad, one of 13 movies he directed in the same year. Of course at only 56 minutes I don’t know if I should classify Suicide Squad as a movie.
