The Public Enemy (1931)
Genre: Crime / Drama
Duration: 83 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: William A. Wellman
Stars: James Cagney, Jean Harlow and Edward Woods
IMDb score:
7,5 (23.912)
Releasedate: 23 April 1931
The Public Enemy plot
"All his life he took what he wanted...Why not women?"
'The Public Enemy' tells the story of Tom Powers (James Cagney) and Matt Doyle (Edward Woods), two friends from a poor Irish immigrant background. Through the petty petty thief Putty Nose they work their way up the ranks of gangsterdom and soon they come into contact with the men of the bigger work like Paddy Ryan and top gangster Samuel 'Nails' Nathan. Tom and Matt grow into real gangsters during Prohibition. However, they make many enemies.
Actors and actresses
Tom Powers
Gwen Allen
Matt Doyle
Mamie
Mike Powers
Samuel 'Nails' Nathan
Ma Powers
Paddy Ryan
Putty Nose
Dutch (uncredited)
Reviews & comments
Leland Palmer
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- 23807 messages
- 4976 votes
Cagney takes 'The Public Enemy' in tow. Strong and cool role. Entertaining film that does a lot of good, especially the pace is very pleasant and the structure of the story very entertaining. Nowhere really intriguing - maybe that's because director Wellman makes everything a bit distant, but fun. There is still plenty to laugh about in between. Clear founder of future gangster films.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31491 messages
- 5627 votes
Movies in the 1930s (especially early 1930s) show how fast Hollywood evolved. Each year seems to be an improvement over the previous year. A few years earlier the silent film was still in the lead, now it is mainly the sound film and that entails a completely different form of acting. Also the story, because you don't have to make everything visual. More suggestion, more dialogue, different types of story. And you also notice that in actors whether they are used to playing in theatre, silent film or sound film. The Public Enemy is the prototype of the gangster film, a genre that has many imitators. And not just 'the good guys against the bad' but also the story of the gangsters themselves.
A movie isn't necessarily good because it was once the first. That is obviously a prestige, but it is about enjoying the film itself of course. James Cagney has been cast in these kinds of films and Jean Harlow, who died much too early, is also in place here. Director William A. Wellman had already shown with Wings that he could make a strong film. The movie has become a real Hollywood movie, I like this.
I wonder if Al Capone has ever seen this movie. Cagney's character is based on him, and Capone was still alive when the movie came out. It's a fun film and fits nicely into this genre, which shouldn't take itself too seriously, but it shouldn't be a slapstick either. Sometimes it is a bit outdated, but it is quite enjoyable.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2365 messages
- 2119 votes
swell. The advantage of this film is a script that makes room for the roots of James Cagney and his gang, which gives the viewer more insight into their motives. Nevertheless, you never get a speck of sympathy for the hoodlums, at least not me, when portraying these people with rough morals. Production mission accomplished?
The entire cast does a great job in this gangster movie, with Cagney as the standout.
Interesting to note that when shooting the film (no pun) live ammunition was used in certain scenes, which was common at the time, and dangerous. Furthermore, at one point Cagney gets a slap on the face from Donald Cook who was a real slap and cost Cagney a tooth. So they have done their best to keep it all as realistic as possible. And not to forget, the outdoor shots certainly also contribute to this. Top.
The direction is in good hands with William A. Wellman, dynamically filmed with impressive shots here and there. I also liked the use of certain symbolism (black cat passing Murray Kinnell, the descending gramophone record).
The Public Enemy is a pretty hard film that tries to dig deeper than what's on the surface of gangster life, and it succeeds for me. Nice to see this one again. Even more than Little Caesar, this became a template for the future gangster movie.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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