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The Public Enemy
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The Public Enemy is a 1931 American pre-Code gangster film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film was directed by William A. Wellman, and starring James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edwar
Theatrical release poster
Theatrical release poster
James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Leslie Fenton, and Dorothy Gee in a publicity still for the film
James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Leslie Fenton, and Dorothy Gee in a publicity still for the film
A controversial scene in which Tom (James Cagney) angrily smashes a half grapefruit into his girlfriend's face (Mae Clarke)
A controversial scene in which Tom (James Cagney) angrily smashes a half grapefruit into his girlfriend's face (Mae Clarke)
Pre-Code crime films
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The era of American film production from the early sound era to the enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934 is denoted as Pre-Code Hollywood. The era contained violence and crime in pictures which would
Paul Muni (as Tony Camonte) taunting and laughing at police officers he has just shot at in the trailer for Scarface (1932). The Hays office wanted th
Paul Muni (as Tony Camonte) taunting and laughing at police officers he has just shot at in the trailer for Scarface (1932). The Hays office wanted this ending of the gangster film replaced with one where Muni's character is tried and executed.
A famous shot, of Justus D. Barnes, from the 1903 film The Great Train Robbery, the first "Western" ever filmed. Scenes where criminals aimed guns at
A famous shot, of Justus D. Barnes, from the 1903 film The Great Train Robbery, the first "Western" ever filmed. Scenes where criminals aimed guns at the camera were considered inappropriate by the New York state censor board in the 1920s and usually removed.
Rico (Edward G. Robinson) confronting Joe (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) when Joe wants to leave the mob in Little Caesar (1931). The public's fascination wi
Rico (Edward G. Robinson) confronting Joe (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) when Joe wants to leave the mob in Little Caesar (1931). The public's fascination with gangster films, in the early 1930s, was bolstered by, the constant newsreel appearances of, real-life criminals, like Al Capone and John Dillinger, upon whom characters like Robinson's were often based.
James Cagney smashes a grapefruit into Mae Clarke's face in The Public Enemy (1931).
James Cagney smashes a grapefruit into Mae Clarke's face in The Public Enemy (1931).