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The Public Enemy

The Public Enemy

All his life he took what he wanted...Why not women?

19317.21h 24m

Overview

Two young Chicago hoodlums, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, rise up from their poverty-stricken slum life to become petty thieves, bootleggers and cold-blooded killers. But with street notoriety and newfound wealth, the duo feels the heat from the cops and rival gangsters both. Despite his ruthless criminal reputation, Tom tries to remain connected to his family, however, gang warfare and the need for revenge eventually pull him away.

Directed by William A. Wellman
Written by Kubec Glasmon, John Bright, Harvey F. Thew
Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck
Box OfficeBudget: $151KRevenue: $557K

Top Cast

James Cagney

James Cagney

Tom Powers

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow

Gwen Allen

Edward Woods

Edward Woods

Matt Doyle

Joan Blondell

Joan Blondell

Mamie

Donald Cook

Donald Cook

Mike Powers

Leslie Fenton

Leslie Fenton

Samuel 'Nails' Nathan

Beryl Mercer

Beryl Mercer

Ma Powers

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Paddy Ryan

Murray Kinnell

Murray Kinnell

Putty Nose

C

Clark Burroughs

Dutch (uncredited)

Themes & Keywords

gangsteranti herotragedyorganized crimebest friendjuvenile delinquentpre-codegrapefruit

About The Public Enemy

The Public Enemy is a crime, drama film released in 1931 exploring themes of gangster, anti hero, tragedy, organized crime, best friend, juvenile delinquent. Directed by William A. Wellman, it stars James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edward Woods. Two young Chicago hoodlums, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, rise up from their poverty-stricken slum life to become petty thieves, bootleggers and cold-blooded killers. But with street notoriety and newfound wealth, the duo feels the heat from the cops and rival gangsters both. Despite his ruthless criminal reputation, Tom tries to remain connected to his family, however, gang warfare and the need for revenge eventually pull him away.

Movies Similar to The Public Enemy

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We found 15 movies similar to The Public Enemy

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