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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. Written by
Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
Pick up the pieces folks, Jimmy's in action again!
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Did You Know?
Trivia
If the surprise expressed by
James Cagney's fellow inmates during "the telephone game" scene in the prison dining room appears real, it's because it is. Director
Raoul Walsh didn't tell the rest of the cast what was about to happen, so Cagney's outburst caught them by surprise. In fact, Walsh himself didn't know what Cagney had planned; the scene as written wasn't working, and Cagney had an idea. He told Walsh to put the two biggest extras playing cons in the mess-hall next to him on the bench (he used their shoulders to boost himself onto the table) and to keep the cameras rolling no matter what.
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Goofs
The fabric marker on Ma Jarrett's car changes positions.
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Quotes
[
Pardo has just saved Cody's life]
Vic Pardo:
I saw that just in time.
Cody Jarrett:
Whaddya want - a medal?
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Connections
Featured in
Ricochet (1991)
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Soundtracks
"Five O'Clock Whistle"
(1940) (uncredited)
Music by
Josef Myrow,
Kim Gannon &
Gene Irwin
Played on a radio
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Warner Brothers decided to kill off their cycle of gangster films with WHITE HEAT. A pity perhaps but what a film to end their success on . Cagney will always be remembered for playing gangsters and Cody Jarret is his most memorable performance , but Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts script is nearly as memorable as Cagney due to its high level of intelligence . I especially liked the way the gang tried to test Fallon by leaving the photograph of his wife on the table in the prison cell , little touches like that make WHITE HEAT a classic . If it was made nowadays we`d get bad language , graphic sex, bloodbaths and post modernist references to pop culture . Well you can keep all that Quentin Tarantino rubbish , this is how a good film should be made . Top of the world