The Public Enemy (1931)
Directed by William Wellman
Written by Kubec Glasmon, John Bright and Harvey Thew
James Cagney controls the screen (and literally dodges machine gun bullets) in this pre-Hay’s Code gangster film. Cagney plays Tom Powers a good for nothing kid who becomes a good for nothing bootlegger. Tom is juxtaposed by his brother Mike (played by Donald Cook), who is an upstanding citizen with a normal job and who has just enlisted in the marines.
The film is violent but not gratuitous (although it was considered shocking in its day). Cagney plunges head first into the role and sets a model every gangster flick hat followed. His rise and fall is generic now but at the time it was new and exciting. If nothing else you should see this film just to watch Cagney chew through his scenes like they were grapefruit.
Offsetting Cagney is Jean Harlow, fresh off her performance in Howard Hughes’ ‘Hell’s Angels’. She shows a depth and understanding of her character as well as some suitable acting chops. though her role as Tom’s main girl is small, her performance is anything but. Other notable actors are Leslie Fenton as Nails Nathan, the ring leader of the mob that Tom employs and Murray Kinnell as Putty Nose, Tom’s first criminal mentor.
Public Enemy also features one of the greatest finales in all of cinema history. Tom’s mother excited by the news that he is coming home from the hospital begins to prepare a room for him. There is a knock on the door and Mike answers it. Standing limp is Tom’s dead body which quickly drops to the floor. Killed by his enemies Tom leaves the film and leaves Mike to tell his mother. It is a powerful scene and should not be missed.
