Harry's Mad

CHAPTER 6: The Famous Gangster Actors

The cat made a BIG mistake trying to sneak up on Madison! He changed his voice to sound like an old-timey gangster to scare him silly. Read about some of the actors listed on page 47, and watch the clips below. As you watch the scenes, listen to their voices and imagine Mad changing his voice to like them.

Humphrey Bogart(1899–1957). U.S. actor Humphrey Bogart gained fame in tough guy roles and was immensely popular during the 1940s and ’50s. He often portrayed a worldly, independent…

"Here's lookin' at you kid." This is Humphrey Bogart's most famous line. Watch this scene from Casablanca to hear his voice and imagine Mad talking in this voice.

Edward G. Robinson(1893–1973). Noted for characterizing tough, forceful men, American motion picture actor Edward G. Robinson helped create the prototype for the ruthless gangsters featured in…

Check out the moves that George Raft had!

James Cagney(1899–1986). U.S. character actor James Cagney performed in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. In his roles he was able to convey emotional extremes in a natural manner.…

"How could it have known of those dozens of old gangster films (they were George's favorites) that Madison had watched over the years on TV? George Raft, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson - Madison knew them all, but it was Bogart's voice that suddenly fell upon the hunter's ears." (p. 47)