The Public Enemy (1931)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Memorable, crazy movie

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Breathtaking opening with amazing street scenes and all the more surprising on Blu-ray in that the images are so clear. Unreal, almost and I dreaded the inevitable cut to some cardboard studio set but the transitions are almost seamless and there is a fair amount of location shooting throughout. Tale itself fairly basic but revolutionary for the times and if some of the dialogue appears stilted improbably because there was still some debate as to what speed word should be spoken following the silent era. Some opted for the theatrical model, some for more clear pronunciation but Cagney seemed to be having none of it and surely set the tone for ever more. His main scene with Harlow is interesting in that he is talking ten to the dozen while she seems to struggle with 'doing what is right'. Film stands up surprisingly well and although the pace is not hectic is a giant leap from the silent days. We would like to see more of Blondell and Harlow but perhaps inevitably it is the upstart Cagney who steals every scene he is in.

THE PUBLIC ENEMY is a gem of crime fiction genre. After watching the film, this is my sentence came to my mind and I completely trust her. The powerful dramatization, social criticism and acting are more than convincing. Do not go into a -Aligning with the actual events at the time of Prohibition. I have the historical knowledge to conclude in this movie has the truth.The Public Enemy is the cornerstone of gangster drama. The actual shift in noir style. Most importantly, what is the film The Public Enemy will not drop any possibility that the world of gangs and crime so fundamentally contradictory world of government and legal currents. This movie will set things up so that shows two broken things: actually just broken things - such as the Criminal mile and as it is corrupt country in economic crisis and the legal patriotic values that include civil obligations and duties. Behind the condemnation of crime and hellish road that is growing up and raising one gangster stands out as a proposal for the viewer to live up to that image and to weigh it as the nature of which is not to be necessarily damned and negative to the world the law and the authorities, but that account with what there is in fact wrong and what is right.In essence, the point of the film is about how American society has to wake up and deal with the criminals, because the human relations by the day drifting towards the underworld.James Cagney as Tom Powers was after this film became a tough guy. A young, short, rude and able to breathe face that looks scary furiously. Some actors are just perfect for a certain type of role. Its performance is perhaps remarkable, controversial, convincing or exaggerated. The film was to such an act. It is important.Edward Woods, Joan Blondell, Donald Cook, Leslie Felton and Mae West They are good or just solid. The longer I stayed at Jean Harlow. She was the first bombshell in Hollywood. I make a distinction between sex symbol and sex bomb. This film need such an actress. I did not expect a good chemistry between Cagney and Harlow, but so bad a „cameo" in the film is rarely seen. In the description of the main female role. I think the female characters in this film quite degraded. Harlow had learned a lesson.The Public Enemy is a very good gangster movie. Technical, stylistic and interpretive very serious piece of work. Domination by James Cagney, who with his brisk acting set the standard.

Legendary gangster picture for Warner Bros. was an appropriate follow-up to "Little Caesar", their first vehicle for Edward G. Robinson. Of course, this film did the same for the dynamic James Cagney, initially intended to have a supporting role. But Darryl F. Zanuck realized a powerful presence when he saw one, and knew Cagney was right for the juicy lead role. Filmed in potent matter of fact style by William A. Wellman, this has a number of scenes that have rightfully become favourites to classic cinema lovers. That grapefruit moment is certainly one that always comes to mind. With some excellent supporting players to help him out, Cagney makes this essential viewing for any fan of this genre.He plays Tom Powers, obviously destined from the start to be something of a bad boy. Played as a child by Frank Coghlan Jr., he begins as a street hustler until he attracts the attention of big players in the local mobs, such as Paddy Ryan (Robert Emmett O'Connor) and "Nails" Nathan (Leslie Fenton). With his equally seedy friend Matt Doyle (Edward Woods) in tow, he rises to greater prominence, taking no garbage from anybody - men and women alike - and often giving in to a hair-trigger temper.Throughout this bitterly dramatic story, Cagney will do such things as commit murder (although always offscreen) - against both man and animal - and spit beer in one unlucky bartenders' face. You could tell that this man was a star in the making. The women here will often be faced with his wrath, although the radiant Jean Harlow as Gwen will fare better than others. Beryl Mercer is the mother who suspects Tom is no saint but will accept his gifts of money, Donald Cook is the angry brother Mike who KNOWS he's no good, lovely Joan Blondell is Mamie, the woman who catches Matts' eye, and Murray Kinnell is the ultimately pathetic character "Putty Nose". An uncredited Mae Clarke has the distinction of appearing in THAT breakfast scene.Far from glorifying the life of this hoodlum, which was a criticism aimed at these early gangster films, "The Public Enemy" does have a chilling but not exactly implausible ending. It's just one of the factors that makes this such a fine viewing.Eight out of 10.

Tommy (James Cagney) was a sexually magnetic, cocky, completely amoral, emotionally brutal, ruthless, and terribly lethal individual. He was hardboiled, having grown up with a policemen father that used a wide leather razor strop to discipline his near-delinquent son.The film, itself, glamorized criminal activities such as bootlegging and emphasized their high style of life with various floozies (portrayed by Joan Blondell, Mae Clarke, and Jean Harlow). This resulted in a film code that prohibited showing crime in a positive light.Excellent pre-code gangster film.