Despite his efforts to go straight, a young gangster keeps falling back into crime.
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Title: The Doorway to Hell (1930)
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Nominated for
1
Oscar.
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Lew Ayres | ... | Louie Ricarno | |
| Dorothy Mathews | ... | Doris Ricarno | |
| Leon Janney | ... | Jackie Ricarno | |
| Robert Elliott | ... | Police Chief Pat O'Grady | |
| James Cagney | ... | Steve Mileaway | |
| Kenneth Thomson | ... | Captain of Academy | |
 |
Jerry Mandy | ... | Joe - Gangster |
| Noel Madison | ... | Rocco | |
| Edwin Argus | ... | Midget | |
|
|
Eddie Kane | ... | Dr. Morton |
| Tom Wilson | ... | Big Shot Kelly - Gangster | |
| Dwight Frye | ... | Monk - Gangster | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Charles Judels | ... | Florist (scenes deleted) | |
Learn more
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
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Storyline
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. WIth the success of his leadership, Louie prospers, marries Doris and retires to Florida to write his autobiography and play golf. In his absence the gang warfare flares, but he does not return as he wants to give a respectable image of life to his wife, younger brother and his Florida neighbors. While letters and telegrams from Mileaway will not influence his decision, events will. Written by Tony Fontana <tony.fontana@spacebbs.com>
Plot Keywords:
brother brother relationship | husband wife relationship | dysfunctional marriage | adulterous wife | homosexual subtext |Taglines:
The Picture Capone Dared Hollywood to Make! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Palace Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - January 10, 1931) See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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(1862) (uncredited)
Written by Daniel Butterfield
Played by a bugler at the funeral
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Second film for James Cagney, after Sinners' Holiday (1930). He would become a star the following year in The Public Enemy (1931). See more »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. See more »Soundtracks
Taps(1862) (uncredited)
Written by Daniel Butterfield
Played by a bugler at the funeral
See more »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 October 1930 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Handful of Clouds See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$240,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1Contribute to This Page
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Fine early talkie that belongs along side Little Caesar and The Public Enemy as the gangster films that set the rules for the genre. Unlike those films however this film gives us a smart gangster who tries to get out while on top only to be dragged back in.