The Public Enemy(1931)
“All his life he took what he wanted...Why not women?”
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.
Director
William A. Wellman
Studio
The Vitaphone Corporation
Budget
$151K
Revenue
$557K
Cast
James Cagney
as Tom Powers
Jean Harlow
as Gwen Allen
Edward Woods
as Matt Doyle
Joan Blondell
as Mamie
Donald Cook
as Mike Powers
Leslie Fenton
as Samuel 'Nails' Nathan
Beryl Mercer
as Ma Powers
Robert Emmett O'Connor
as Paddy Ryan
Murray Kinnell
as Putty Nose
Clark Burroughs
as Dutch (uncredited)
Mae Clarke
as Kitty (uncredited)
Frank Coghlan Jr.
as Tom as a Boy (uncredited)
Where to Watch
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Amazon Video
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1931
Runtime
1h 24m
Language
English
Rating
7.3 / 10
Budget
$151K
Box Office
$557K
Production Companies
The Vitaphone Corporation • Warner Bros. Pictures
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Public Enemy?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Public Enemy (1931).
What is The Public Enemy about?▼
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.
Who directed The Public Enemy?▼
The Public Enemy was directed by William A. Wellman and released in 1931. It is a crime, drama film.
How long is The Public Enemy?▼
The Public Enemy has a runtime of 1 hours and 24 minutes (84 minutes total).
Who stars in The Public Enemy?▼
The cast of The Public Enemy includes James Cagney as Tom Powers, Jean Harlow as Gwen Allen, Edward Woods as Matt Doyle, Joan Blondell as Mamie, Donald Cook as Mike Powers and more.
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