The Public Enemy details
| Format: | PG DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | James Cagney, Edward Woods, Jean Harlow, Joan Blondell |
| Director: | William A. Wellman |
| Genre: | Drama - Television |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
The Public Enemy |
PG Feature |
DVD Information
| Rental release: | Currently unavailable |
|---|---|
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
Cagney Shines
By Cato (705 reviews) from Lydbury North , 19 Feb 2007[Highly rated reviewer]
James Cagney makes this film, and to think that his sidekick was considered for the main part before him. Cagney's creepy, lizard-like face was great for a screen actor who usually acted quite didtasteful parts, and in this film he shines. Unfortunately his fellow actors were quite poor, and in particular Jean Harlow seems very wooden, affecting an English accent. Cagney's mother is like a throwback to Victorian melodrama. Still, this was 1931, and they hadn't been talking on film for all that long. All the more credit to Jimmy then, who showed them the way. Some of the scenes must have seemed pretty risque as well, with a drunken seduction and a cadaver posted through the door at the end. A very good film, spoilt by some poor acting, apart from you know who.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(13)The Classic Gangster Film
By GaryI (785 reviews) from March, Cambs , 15 Oct 2009If you love cinema then this is a no brainer, the definitive gangster movie with the definitive gangster in James Cagney.
Made before the Hays system due to its supposed glorification of crime, this is the tale of the rise of a hoodlum in the prohibition era.
Great performances, classic scenes and a true Hollywood movie from the studio days.
If you have never seen this, then do so.- Was this review helpful to you?
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The Public Enemy
By forestdweller (39 reviews) from Henley-on-Thames , 30 Aug 2009On virtually all levels, an interesting film, with a riveting performance by James Cagney, which has been called the first example of modern cinema acting, making this a watershed movie which transcends its date and time (1931), while also providing a glimpse into a long lost era.- Was this review helpful to you?
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great
By scorpion (538 reviews) from Mexborough , 15 Aug 2009one off the best great film- Was this review helpful to you?
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Public enemy No 1
By ZiggyTheKid (86 reviews) from Dundee , 25 Feb 2009This solid gangster movie was a clear indication that Hollywood was painting a picture of their views about the situation in American in the prohibition era on one hand condemning the actions of such 'hooligans' but on the other hand making it seem 'cool' to be one of them, it certainly set the tone for the genre and set its young star on the path to legend status.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Public Enemy
By Eggo (11 reviews) from Hull , 05 Jun 2008One of Cagney's ' shouldn't-have-made' films- Was this review helpful to you?
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