James Cagney got his big break in the motion picture business in “The Public Enemy.” He plays a young man who rises to the top of the criminal underworld in Prohibition Era Chicago, gaining attention from both law enforcement and rival gang leaders. This movie, along with “Little Caesar” (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson, popularized the gangster/mob movie genre that continues to this day.
Director William A. Wellman (“A Star Is Born” 1937) brought to life this hard-hitting crime drama from an excellent screenplay by Harvey F. Thew. Co-stars include Jean Harlow, Joan Blondell, Edward Woods, Donald Cook, Leslie Fenton, Beryl Mercer, Robert O’Connor, Murray Kinnell, Purnell Pratt, and Mae Clarke in an uncredited role as Kitty. “The Public Enemy” was successful at the Depression Era box office for producer Darryl F. Zanuck and Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Public Enemy (1931)
cinema
My Review
James Cagney got his big break in the motion picture business in “The Public Enemy.” He plays a young man who rises to the top of the criminal underworld in Prohibition Era Chicago, gaining attention from both law enforcement and rival gang leaders. This movie, along with “Little Caesar” (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson, popularized the gangster/mob movie genre that continues to this day.
Director William A. Wellman (“A Star Is Born” 1937) brought to life this hard-hitting crime drama from an excellent screenplay by Harvey F. Thew. Co-stars include Jean Harlow, Joan Blondell, Edward Woods, Donald Cook, Leslie Fenton, Beryl Mercer, Robert O’Connor, Murray Kinnell, Purnell Pratt, and Mae Clarke in an uncredited role as Kitty. “The Public Enemy” was successful at the Depression Era box office for producer Darryl F. Zanuck and Warner Bros. Pictures.