White Heat (1949)

A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. Shortly after the plan takes place, events take a crazy turn

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

Ivan Goff (screen play), Ben Roberts (screen play)

Stars:

James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Cody Jarrett
Virginia Mayo	...	Verna Jarrett
Edmond O'Brien	...	Hank Fallon / Vic Pardo
Margaret Wycherly	...	Ma Jarrett
Steve Cochran	...	Big Ed Somers
John Archer	...	Philip Evans
Wally Cassell	...	Cotton Valletti
Fred Clark	...	Trader Winston

Storyline

Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody's top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an 'accident' happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody's ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant.

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Plot Keywords:

psychopath | transmitter | oscillator | trojan horse | prison | 

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Taglines:

Searing the screen like the death-blast of a sub-machine gun ! ! !

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Maschinenpistolen

Filming Locations:

198th Street and Figueroa, Torrance, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was James Cagney himself who had the idea of making Cody psychotic. Cagney attributed his performance to his father's alcoholic rages, which he had witnessed as a child, as well as someone that he had seen on a visit to a mental hospital.

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Goofs

When Pardo is in line to get his injection, he starts a fight to get off the line and avoid being recognized by Bo Creel. But starting the fight draws more attention to him than if he'd remained quietly on line, and increased his chances of being spotted and identified. Also, the inmate giving the shots was looking at the arms of those on line, not their faces, as they moved passed him.

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Quotes

Cody Jarrett: I told you to keep away from that radio. If that battery is dead it'll have company.

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Connections

Referenced in The Maker (1997)

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Soundtracks

Five O'Clock Whistle
(1940) (uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow, Kim Gannon & Gene Irwin
Played on a radio

User Reviews

They don't make 'em like this anymore

The old saying, "They don't make 'em like they used to" fits this film to a T. Every other crazed-killer-goes-on-a-rampage movie ever made pales next to it. This is the best performance of Cagney's career (although, astoundingly enough, he didn't think much of the picture or his work in it, dismissing it as "just another gangster flicker"). Only Cagney could take a character like Cody Jarrett, a snarling, murderous monster with a mother fixation--someone you KNOW is going to get his at the end--and still almost make you wish he gets away. The film is one taut nerve from beginning to end. There's not a wasted moment in it; it starts out at full blast with the daring robbery of a mail train barreling through a mountain pass and doesn't let up. Performances are universally top-notch, from the stars on down to the extras. Far and away the finest film of director Raoul Walsh's long and distinguished career, this movie can take its place as not only the best gangster film ever made, but as one of the best films ever made, period.