A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist.A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist.A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
32K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Ivan Goff(screen play)
- Ben Roberts(screen play)
- Virginia Kellogg(suggested by a story by)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Ivan Goff(screen play)
- Ben Roberts(screen play)
- Virginia Kellogg(suggested by a story by)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
Videos1
Joel Allen
- Operativeas Operative
- (uncredited)
Claudia Barrett
- Cashieras Cashier
- (uncredited)
Ray Bennett
- Guardas Guard
- (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg
- Convictas Convict
- (uncredited)
Bill Clark
- Guardas Guard
- (uncredited)
Leo Cleary
- Railroad Firemanas Railroad Fireman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Ivan Goff(screen play)
- Ben Roberts(screen play)
- Virginia Kellogg(suggested by a story by)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
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. —Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
- Taglines
- James Cagney Is Red Hot In "White Heat"!
- Genres
- Certificate
- G
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe character of Cody Jarrett was based on New York murderer Francis Crowley, who engaged in a pitched battle with police in the spring of 1931 at the age of 18. Murdered on 1/21/32, his last words were, "Send my love to my mother."
- GoofsThe gas station attendant removes the radiator cap with his bare hand.
- Quotes
Cody Jarrett: Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
- Alternate versionsAlso Available in a Colorized Version.
- ConnectionsEdited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
- SoundtracksFive O'Clock Whistle
(1940) (uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow, Kim Gannon & Gene Irwin
Played on a radio
Top review
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.
helpful•11823
- BrianV
- Sep 12, 1998
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,300,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $5,534
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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