The Public Enemy (1931)

Directed by William A. Wellman. Starring James Cagney, Edward Woods, Donald Cook, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Beryl Mercer, Joan Blondell, Jean Harlow, Leslie Fenton, Mae Clarke, Murray Kinnnell.

Classic Warner Bros. gangster picture made a star out of Cagney, and for good reason since he lights up the screen as unapologetic Irish-American bootlegger and killer Tom Powers. He and lifelong pal Woods rise through the criminal ranks in Prohibition-era Chicago, while his brother (Cook) disapproves and his mother (Mercer) worries. A few too many dated and cornball moments along the way, but it’s still a fast-paced, entertaining story, with a good number of unshakable images (Cagney marching toward the camera in the rain, a late night “visitor” at the conclusion, etc.). Despite second billing, Harlow has a rather small role, which is just as well since she’s far less appealing than the other young dames on hand, even poor Clarke who gets a grapefruit smashed into her face in a famous scene. Another wild scene involves the chief gangster “whacking” a horse (though its head probably didn’t end up in someone’s bed later).

81/100