Edmond O'Brien, Fred Clark, James Cagney

This gangster movie centers on a psychotic, mother-obsessed thug.

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93% liked it

6,775 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

28 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Raoul Walsh

Release Date: January 1, 1949

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DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005

Stats: 494 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (494)


  • July 13, 2009
    what's there to say about white heat? ten years out of the genre and cagney hasn't missed a step. how'd ya like that, ma?
  • May 20, 2009
    Vibrant and brilliant film, engaging plot, and electrifying performance by James Cagney as the totally amoral and psychotic momma's boy Cody Jarret.
    Cody's farewell line is unforgettable.
  • May 4, 2009
    Worthy of all it?s praise, Cagney just has great presence on screen and of course the lovable rogue image suits him well.

    As a storyline, this ticks many boxes for me, a Gangster story, Robbery, Undercover operation and is such a good base story for modern day films and tv Dra...( read more)mas.

    An instant favourite!
  • March 7, 2009
    White Heat is probably one of the greatest gangster films ever made. The fact that it was released in an era that monitored film violence to the hilt is even more shocking. The film is about Arthur "Cody" Jarrett (James Cagney), a gangland leader that's on the edge and just about...( read more) ready to fall off. His gang has made moves against him. His wife Verna (Virginia Mayo) is not as enthusiastic about him as she once was. The only thing Cody has going for him in his life is his Ma (Margaret Wycherly). Ma isn't just a mother, but an advisor and nurse to the mobster. When a recent train heist turns bad Cody turns himself in for another job on the other side of the continent. The feds don't buy it and plant Vic Pardo (Edmund O'Brien) to not only get the truth out of Cody, but to catch the man who sets up the jobs and fences the goods.

    It's not as easy as it seems. As the film progresses and events continue to turn against Cody he slowly slides over that edge into insanity. Cagney gives us one of the greatest performance of madness ever seen. Even today after countless thousands of psychotics gracing our screens, the Cagney performance still shocks and holds the power that it had sixty years ago. There are scenes where he seems to enjoy killing off the competition, which was unheard of in this era. Cagney created the psychotic gangster model that would be repeated over and over again for the next three score.

    Raoul Walsh directs White Heat without the glitz and glamour that permeated in 1940's Hollywood. Virginia Mayo's character snores and spits while Cagney's Cody stomps along as a cold hearted bastard. It's not a shiny gangster film. It goes for the guts and when it has them it doesn't let go. The rest of the cast is your basic '40's stock company, but it doesn't matter because it's Cagney's picture. He is just so amazing to watch on screen as he slowly slips downward.

    White Heat is a gangster masterpiece that has had such an impact on film it has reverberated even into today's cinemas. Coppola, Scorsese, and Tarantino owe a debt to this film for laying a blueprint for the modern gangster movie. A true classic masterpiece.
  • January 14, 2009
    Cagney is solid in this 1949 Gangster flick. Mayo is interesting as is the rest of the supporting cast. Recommended.
  • November 6, 2009
    My 2nd favorite gangster Cagney movie
  • October 23, 2009
    I like Cagneys gangster films but I didnt care for this 1 to much
  • September 4, 2009
    beware of "Moma's Boys"... James Cagney was fantastic as the Mob leader...
  • July 14, 2009
    Released in 1949,"White Heat" is considered to be one of the greatest gangster films of all time. James Cagney's performance as Cody Jarrett remains one of the top ten badasses of them all. It is amazing that Cagney did not win the Oscar for his performance here,but still he give...( read more)s a riveting performance that remains one of his best,thanks to a stellar cast that includes Edmond O'Brien, Virginia Mayo and Steve Cochran.
  • July 13, 2009
    Outstanding gangster film, expertly played by James Cagney. Intense, fast pacing and visually impressive. Raoul Walsh's direction is detailed and excellent. This is Virginia Mayo's best performance. Margaret Wycherly stands out as well as Cagney's mother. A true classic with nume...( read more)rous well known scenes.

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White Heat Trivia


  • "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" A famous line, spoken by James Cagney in which film?   Answer »
  • Name the movie where James Cagney shouts out, 'Made it Ma, top of the world'  Answer »
  • James Cagney certainly got around in his time, but he only appeared in one of these all-time screen classics. Which?  Answer »
  • Top 100 Movie Quotes Which 1949 movie has the quote "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!"?  Answer »

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