this a a pretty decent flick. not as engaging or profound as many of the early gangster films were, but cagney was great as always and the movie had its bright spot. worth the watch.
Watch Jimmy Cagney and Jean Harlow do something amazing with a grapefruit.
*snicker*
cagney embarks on a life of crime and his presence cannot be denied. his breakout performance here burns right through the screen. harlow still needs some work to reach her own iconic status. the film is a bit dated but after 75 years still amazing to watch
the founded stone for james cagney's overnight success of his classic gangster status. this flick is adapted from a moralistic social stiric novel called "beer and blood" which is applied in the lines during the flick as well. one of the first movies tackles the mob tumult under ... ...( read more )
One of the classic old school gangster films, it's a little simplistic in it's characterizastion, but Cagney breathes life into the character with his usual intensity, and it features one of the most famous scenes in cinema history.
The most famous of the 1930s gangster movies and the film that put James Cagney on the map. I'm not sure that this deserves to be the best regarded of the genre, I probably prefer both "The Roaring Twenties" and the Howard Hawks "Scarface," still this is a pretty good movie and I... ...( read more )
I liked a lot of it, but the studio's moralizing at the beginning and end left a bad taste in my mouth.
a defining moment in gangster cinema of the 20s and 30s. although the plot isn't as intense or involved as films like Little Caesar or Angels with Dirty Faces, the story is ripe with groundbreaking subject-matter, namely sex and violent death. James Cagney fits the typecast spl... ...( read more )
A tough, influential gangster film founded on simplistic morals. This film is an ideal showcase for James Cagney's iconic performance and presence, and he commands every scene he's in. Although some may argue that this picture is dated in many regards, it is still an engaging pie... ...( read more )
I'm always fascinated by how seamy some of the precode hollywood films were, in films like this it helps sell the violent world that the characters inhabit.
Great performence by Cagney in this faboulos gangster classic during the prohibitian, great story tho :-)
I watched this in a media lesson and now love Cagney. His unpredictable swagger is what made this film great. grapefruit anyone?
even after writting essays on it i love it. A true great.
A look into the "golden age" of organized crime, "The Public Enemy" ultimately established several conventions of the gangster flick. Most will enjoy James Cagney's fast-talking performance, riddled with gangland slang, and the image of Cagney's character waiting in the rain will... ...( read more )
Oh James Cagney, you scare the hell out of me 90% of the time. And that is why you are soooo incredible. I love you.
This film has James Cagney ramping up to top form. This is a good early gangster flick. This movie is worth seeing for the classic "grapefruit scene" alone. The ending is also a nice touch.
One of the best movies of all time. Its a classic but it never gets old. Notm uch i can say that hasnt already been said a bazillion times. A must see for classic movie fans and a fun gangster flick from the good old days. CAGNEY IS THE BEST!
Here you can see Cagney's first lead role: he had made a few small routine pictures before this and Warners wisely had him play Tom Powers, thereby contradicting the original casting for Public Enemy. It was a very very right decision, as even an utter deadhead would have to adm... ...( read more )
Cagney at his first and most FRESH era as a gangster that gets in over his head and ends with a bang. It is so good that I'm surprised that it isn't rated as one THE best gangster movies.
The classic barriers of good and evil are very evident in this film, but yet the charisma of James Cagney's evil Tom Powers makes this film as entertaining and thrilling as any other of it's quality. The ending is so blunt and poignant that it will really hit home.
Cagney at his best. Brutal and engaging, which is saying something for the time period of its release.
The quintessential gangster film. This classic is the closest we we can get to the menace that still haunts American streets to this day. The Public Enemy is not a bad boy gone to pot, but a young man who ran out of options in an extremely unjust society. This is not to say that... ...( read more )
It's a good film. The relationship between James Cagney's character and his brother stands out for me. Too short though, so leaves little time for much character development (which is strange seeing as the film is not plot driven atall).
