The Doorway to Hell (A Handful of Clouds) (1930)

44% of users liked it
(124 ratings)

In this early talkie, a vicious crime lord (played by Lew Ayres in a rare villainous role) decides that he has had enough and much to the shock of his colleagues decides to give the business to his second in command (James Cagney in hi second film role) and retire to Florida after marrying his moll.… More In this early talkie, a vicious crime lord (played by Lew Ayres in a rare villainous role) decides that he has had enough and much to the shock of his colleagues decides to give the business to his second in command (James Cagney in hi second film role) and retire to Florida after marrying his moll. Unfortunately, he has no idea that she and Cagney are lovers. Part of the reason the don wants to leave is to keep his young brother, who idolizes him, from learning the awful truth about his avocation. Soon after moving down to Florida, former rivals kidnap the brother and kill him, causing the reformed gangster to come back for deadly revenge. This was an innovative film and featured a lot of elements that would become standards in the gangster genre including tommy guns carried in violin cases, terrible shoot-outs, and lots of rum-running rivalry. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Archie Mayo
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 18, 1930 Wide

Critic Reviews

Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
A historical relic flawed by miscasting but almost redeemed by an unjustly misunderstood ending.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An early talkie from Warner Brothers.

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