An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime.An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime.An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime.
- Director
- Writers
- Kubec Glasmon(by)
- John Bright(by)
- Harvey F. Thew(screen adaptation)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Kubec Glasmon(by)
- John Bright(by)
- Harvey F. Thew(screen adaptation)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
- Paddy Ryan
- (as Robert O'Connor)
- Goon
- (uncredited)
- Dutch
- (uncredited)
- Kitty
- (uncredited)
- Tom as a Boy
- (uncredited)
- Machine Gunner
- (uncredited)
- Matt as a Boy
- (uncredited)
- Miller
- (uncredited)
- Molly Doyle
- (uncredited)
- Nails' Girl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Kubec Glasmon(by)
- John Bright(by)
- Harvey F. Thew(screen adaptation)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSeveral versions exist of the origin of the notorious grapefruit scene, but the most plausible is the one on which both James Cagney and Mae Clarke agree: The scene, they explained, was actually staged as a practical joke at the expense of the film crew, just to see their stunned reactions. There was never any intention of ever using the shot in the completed film. Director William A. Wellman, however, eventually decided to keep the shot, and use it in the film's final release print.
- GoofsThe opening scenes of the movie supposedly take place in Chicago in 1909, yet there are many automobiles in the streets. At that time, a private car was a rare luxury, and most of the vehicles in the street would have been horse drawn wagons or carriages or electric trolleys.
- Quotes
Tom Powers: [Tom shuffles to the breakfast table in his pajamas. He's just finished a demanding call with Nails Nathan] Ain't you got a drink in the house?
Kitty: Well, not before breakfast, dear.
Tom Powers: [immediately annoyed] ... I didn't ask you for any lip. I asked you if you had a drink.
Kitty: [sheepishly] I know Tom, but I, I wish that...
Tom Powers: ...there you go with that wishin' stuff again. I wish you was a wishing well. So that I could tie a bucket to ya and sink ya.
Kitty: Well, maybe you've found someone you like better.
[Tom is enraged and disgusted by her implication. He grimaces and shoves a grapefruit in her face as he leaves the table]
- Crazy creditsIt is the ambition of the authors of "The Public Enemy" to honestly depict the environment that exists today in a certain strata of American life, rather than glorify the hoodlum or the criminal. While the story of "The Public Enemy" is essentially a true story, all names and characters appearing herein, are purely fictional.
- Alternate versionsFor a 1941 re-release, three scenes in "The Public Enemy" were censored to comply with the Production Code. These censored segments (including an extended edit of the scene involving the gay tailor) were restored for the 2005 DVD release.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hänen vaimonsa rikos (1932)
- SoundtracksI'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
(1919) (uncredited)
Music by James Kendis, James Brockman and Nat Vincent
Played at various times throughout the film
The film is far from perfect. The first ten minutes of the film in which we are shown a glimpse into the characters' childhood are jerky at best and feel as if much of it was left on the cutting room floor. The movie's incessant fast pace thereafter don't allow for much to sink in, but Cagney saves the day with an absolutely fiery performance. Not one person is spared from his bubbling anger and ferocious delivery.
Finally, the ending will leave you gasping - even by today's standards.
"The Public Enemy" is a must see for any true fan of the mob movie genre.
- jagfx
- Sep 3, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- The Public Enemy
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,011,520
- Gross worldwide
- $1,214,260
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page































