My contribution to this fantastic blogathon is that quintessential gangster film from 1931, The Public Enemy. Directed by William Wellman, The Public Enemy provided Mr. Cagney with his breakthrough role, as he was moved from a secondary character to the lead one before filming began. Though Jean Harlow gets second billing, she's really quite a minor player. The film is all Cagney's, with supporting help from Harlow, Edward Woods, Donald Cook, and Joan Blondell. Mae Clarke, Beryl Mercer, and Leslie Fenton also have feature parts in this terrific 5-star film, which in my mind remains the measuring stick of all gangster films, even now, some 80 years after its release.
The film begins in 1909 on the streets of Chicago, where two young boys, Tom Powers (who will grow up to be James Cagney) and Matt Doyle (who will grow up to be Edward Woods) are beginning down the road which will ultimately lead them to organized crime. With Tom as the instigator, the boys are repeated troublemakers, even stealing for local gangster Putty Nose (Murray Kinnell). Matt's sister, Molly, warns Tom that he's no good and will end up in jail someday.
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As the years go by, Tom and Matt grow to manhood, getting involved in ever-bigger capers, now with guns in their hands. When things go haywire during their robbery of a fur company and one of their own is killed, ringleader Putty Nose skips town, leaving the boys feeling double-crossed and desirous of revenge. They soon join forces with another local gangster, Paddy Ryan (Robert O'Connor).
After their first big payoff, Tom and Matt delight in getting fitted for fancy suits and, afterwards, enjoy a night on the town. Matt soon finds himself in love with Mamie (Joan Blondell), while Tom spends time with Kitty (Mae Clarke), before ditching her for Gwen (Jean Harlow).
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As Prohibition becomes the law of the land in 1920, Tom and Matt are primed to become big shots. Operating a bootleg beer business, Paddy joins forces with another local mobster, Nails Nathan (Leslie Fenton). Gang warfare ultimately breaks out, and many are sure to get caught in the crossfire. How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
The Public Enemy is a simply sensational film. The direction is fantastic...the cinematography is appropriately stark and gritty...the acting---especially that of James Cagney---is brilliant. He plays the cold, heartless, evil Tom Powers to absolute perfection. Especially upon discovering that these gangster roles were just a way to pay the bills...that Cagney really preferred song-and-dance roles...you realize just what an amazing performance he gave here. I think it's one of his best---though being honest, I think Mr. Cagney (whom I positively adore!) always gave a "best" performance.
One of the most haunting scenes in all of film history (to me) is Tom Powers' final arrival at his mother's door. It's a sight that will stick with you for days. (Can't say more, so as not to give away the ending to those who may not have seen this film yet.)
Probably my favorite scene in the film is the one which gives a little glimpse into the song-and-dance life of James Cagney. It's short and, perhaps, unnoticed by most people. After obtaining Gwen's telephone number, Tom does a little two-step on the sidewalk. With Mr. Cagney's love for dance, I figure that was an improvisation to put a little of himself into the film.
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When production of The Public Enemy got underway, Cagney was originally hired for the Matt Doyle role; however, by the time shooting commenced, it was realized that Cagney was the more dominant personality and, thus, ought to have the star part. Mr. Cagney puts it this way in his autobiography, Cagney by Cagney, "Public Enemy was about two street pals---one soft-spoken, the other a really tough little article. For some incredible reason, I was cast as the quiet one; and Eddie Woods, a fine actor, but a boy of gentle background, well-spoken and well-educated became the tough guy. Fortunately, Bill Wellman, the director, had seen Doorway to Hell , and he quickly became aware of the obvious casting error. He knew at once that I could project that direct gutter quality, so Eddie and I switched roles after Wellman made an issue of it with Darryl Zanuck." This casting change had huge bearing on Mr. Cagney's career, because after The Public Enemy, Warners gave him star billing.
In his typical humble way, Mr. Cagney doesn't have a negative word to say about anyone in the cast. He called Donald Cook, who played his brother in the film, "that good actor." He also said, "Public Enemy had a fine cast: Eddie, Donald, Mae Clarke, and the unforgettable Jean Harlow, whom, he said, was "very pleasant to work with." The two never saw each other again after Public Enemy, but Mr. Cagney was, nevertheless, saddened by her untimely death.
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One of the most memorable scenes in James Cagney's career is the infamous grapefruit scene, in which Tom, frustrated by his girlfriend's (Mae Clarke) nagging, shoves a grapefruit in her face. According to Mr. Cagney's autobiography, the scene had been "derived from a real incident in Chicago when a hoodlum named Hymie Weiss took an omelet prepared by his overly-talkative girlfriend and shoved it in her face. Of course, an omelet was a bit too messy to be repeated on the screen, so the grapefruit was substituted."
A little anecdote about that scene is that "Miss Clarke was once married to Monte Brice, Fanny's brother. Mae and Monte divorced , and apparently with a little rancor, because every time Cagney pushed the grapefruit into Mae's face at the Strand Theatre, there was a guaranteed audience of one---Monte. He would come in just before the scene was shown, gloat over it, then leave."
The Public Enemy is a totally brilliant movie...a definite must-see, as it paved the way for all gangster films following in its wake. It is one of my 10 favorite films of the 1930's, my 2nd favorite James Cagney film, and among my 40 all-time favorite movies. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Out on DVD and soon to be released on Blu-Ray, the film should be very easy to track down. It is also on the TCM schedule for Sunday, June 2nd, at 12:30 p.m. (ET). Do try to catch it---you will absolutely not be disappointed.
Happy viewing!!
All quoted material derived from Cagney by Cagney, by James Cagney, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1976
