Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Doorway to Hell (1930)

The Doorway to Hell (1930) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   195 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 12% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Archie Mayo
Writers:
Rowland Brown (story)
George Rosener (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Doorway to Hell on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 October 1930 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Plot:
Lou Ricarno is a smart guy. His plan is to organize the various gangs in Chicago so that the mugs will not liquidate each other... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
early screen appearances by later stars - good story more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Lew Ayres ... Louie Ricarno
Charles Judels ... Sam Marconi - Florist (scenes deleted)
Dorothy Mathews ... Doris Ricarno
Leon Janney ... Jackie Lamarr
Robert Elliott ... Captain Pat O'Grady

James Cagney ... Steve Mileaway
Kenneth Thomson ... Captain of Academy
Jerry Mandy ... Gimpy - a Gangster
Noel Madison ... Rocco
Edwin Argus ... The Midget
Eddie Kane ... Dr. Morton
Tom Wilson ... Big Shot Kelly - a Gangster
Dwight Frye ... Monk - a Gangster
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Handful of Clouds (UK)
more
Runtime:
78 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
No information about the publication of Rowland Brown's story, "A Handful of Clouds," has been found; it may not have been published. more
Goofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: What appears to be a typo in the gangland slaughter headline of the newspaper Louie reads in the boarding house -- it reads 'grewsome' instead of 'gruesome' -- is in fact an acceptable variant that was more popular at the time the film was released. more
Quotes:
Title Card: [closing title] The "Doorway to Hell" is a one-way door. There is no retribution - no plea for further clemency. The little boy walked through it with his head up and a smile on his lips. They gave him a funeral - a swell funeral that stopped traffic - and then they forgot him before the roses had a chance to wilt. more
Soundtrack:
Taps more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
early screen appearances by later stars - good story, 16 May 2007
8/10
Author: gary olszewski from Henderson, Nv. USA

A pretty good crime drama of its time, on a par with PUBLIC ENEMY, LITTLE CEASAR, and others of the genre,good acting, too.Excellent acting by a very young Lew Ayres, an up-and-coming yet unknown James Cagney, here listed way down in the cast of players as a secondary, and I particularly enjoyed the fine characterization by pre-Dracula Dwight Frye. Much better than the common, cheesy melodramas of the period,this one holds the interest better due to its inferences and unseen sub-plots, an early gem by director Archie Mayo, ahead of its time for its imaginative storyline, and great scene shots, a captivating film as a whole simply for standing out among the rest! Watch this one, it's very good!!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Doorway to Hell (1930)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
lew ayres mp01
Terrific gangster film voacor
This will be on TCM Jan 2 voacor
'Doorway to Hell' closing shot mastrmeb
Dry Cleaner Hit mastrmeb
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Galloping Ghost Midnight Court King of Chinatown Homicide Bureau Bank Alarm
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.