The Public Enemy (1931)
The Public Enemy (1931) is an American pre-Code gangster film, produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Directed by William A. Wellman and starring James Cagney, the film follows the story of Irish-American friends Tom Powers and Matt Doyle in 1900s Chicago. They start off with petty theft, selling their stolen goods to a man known as ‘Putty Nose’. Tempted by the promise of protection, they join his gang for a fur warehouse robbery. However, things go wrong when Tom accidentally shoots a stuffed bear, alerting the police who kill one of the gang members, Larry Dalton. Desperate for help, they turn to Putty Nose only to find that he has fled. Meanwhile, Tom’s brother Mike tries in vain to convince him to give up crime while keeping it a secret from their loving mother. As World War I breaks out in 1917, Mike enlists in the Marines.
In 1920, just before Prohibition takes effect, Paddy Ryan recruits Tom and Matt as ‘salesmen’ (enforcers) for his bootlegging operation. He aligns himself with notorious gangster Samuel ‘Nails’ Nathan. As their business becomes increasingly profitable, the two flaunt their wealth. Mike discovers that his brother’s money does not come from politics like Tom claims, but rather from bootlegging. He accuses Tom of only succeeding through ‘beer and blood’. In response, Tom retorts in disgust: ‘Your hands aren’t clean either. You killed people and enjoyed it. Your medals weren’t earned by holding hands with Germans’. Eventually, Tom and Matt each find girlfriends – Kitty for Tom and Mamie for Matt. However, Tom grows tired of Kitty’s complaints and one day angrily shoves a half-eaten grapefruit into her face.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  James CagneyTom Powers  Jean HarlowGwen Allen  Edward WoodsMatt Doyle  Joan BlondellMamie  Donald CookMike Powers |
The Public Enemy (1931) is an American pre-Code gangster film, produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Directed by William A. Wellman and starring James Cagney, the film follows the story of Irish-American friends Tom Powers and Matt Doyle in 1900s Chicago. They start off with petty theft, selling their stolen goods to a man known as ‘Putty Nose’. Tempted by the promise of protection, they join his gang for a fur warehouse robbery. However, things go wrong when Tom accidentally shoots a stuffed bear, alerting the police who kill one of the gang members, Larry Dalton. Desperate for help, they turn to Putty Nose only to find that he has fled. Meanwhile, Tom’s brother Mike tries in vain to convince him to give up crime while keeping it a secret from their loving mother. As World War I breaks out in 1917, Mike enlists in the Marines.
In 1920, just before Prohibition takes effect, Paddy Ryan recruits Tom and Matt as ‘salesmen’ (enforcers) for his bootlegging operation. He aligns himself with notorious gangster Samuel ‘Nails’ Nathan. As their business becomes increasingly profitable, the two flaunt their wealth. Mike discovers that his brother’s money does not come from politics like Tom claims, but rather from bootlegging. He accuses Tom of only succeeding through ‘beer and blood’. In response, Tom retorts in disgust: ‘Your hands aren’t clean either. You killed people and enjoyed it. Your medals weren’t earned by holding hands with Germans’. Eventually, Tom and Matt each find girlfriends – Kitty for Tom and Mamie for Matt. However, Tom grows tired of Kitty’s complaints and one day angrily shoves a half-eaten grapefruit into her face.
