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Message from Dean - May 8th 2007
I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.
List Price: $19.98Price: $4.00 You Save: $15.98 (80%)Prices subject to change.
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301976978
Format: Black & White, NTSC
ISBN: 6301976975
Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageAnalog
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Release Date: May 19, 1998
Running Time: 83 minutes
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Theatrical Release Date: April 23, 1931
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Director William Wellman (Wings), a World War I veteran who turned his experiences in battle into an insistence on unpretentious violence in his films, made Public Enemy a particularly brutal account of the rise and fall of a monstrous gangster (James Cagney). Cagney delivers one of the most famous performances in film history as the snarling crook who--in one of the film's most famous scenes--smashes a grapefruit into the face of Mae Clarke. The film's a bit dated, but its action scenes still pack an unusual wallop. --Tom Keogh
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This is the first Cagney movie I've seen and I understand now why people think Cagney is a master actor. From what I've heard, he had no formal training, but is utterly convincing in this film as the reckless and insatiable gangster, Tom Powers. Set during Prohibition, 'Public Enemy' takes us on Tom Powers' journey; from his childhood days doing petty thefts, maturing into acts of intimidation and burglary and finally committing his adult crimes of brutalizing, murder, womanizing and other forms of cruelty. All things considered, there is some humor in this film, like the famous "grapefruit scene;" but these scenes don't attempt to glorify gangsters or their lifestyles. In fact, after the end of the film, there's an original PSA about Public Enemies which put me in the perspective of a 1930's audience. Even then it was evident that this film wasn't meant to be entertaining, it was a rather violent cautionary tale for the people of that tumultuous decade. However, taken as just a bit of ... Read More
Rating:  -
Once again, Jimmy Cagney struts his stuff.....and makes a big name for himself in the very early part of his acting career. He clearly demonstrates that he is a man who take over any scene and dominate it, and the film.
The story is a fast-mover and the movie is over in less than an hour-and-a-half. The cinematography in here is excellent and DVD really brings that out. For me, a highlight of the show was simply the facial expressions on Cagney. At the end of the movie, as he stands in the pouring rain getting ready to go in and kill people, his expression is downright scary - a very powerful scene.
The ending of this movie is memorable, too. In all the film may be dated but it still very, very watchable and one of the great crime movies of all time.
Rating: -
***** 1931. Directed by William A. Wellman. The screenplay earned an Academy award nomination. During the prohibition, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle become part of the Paddy Ryan gang and enjoy the mobster life. For a while. Cagney, Harlow and Blondell are great in this film any movie lover should own. At least, two scenes of THE PUBLIC ENEMY are already part of history: the grapefruit squeezed over the face of James Cagney's girl-friend and the final apparition of Cagney more spectacular than any movie of THE MUMMY serie. Masterpiece.
Rating: -
Tom Powers (James Cagney) is a heel and has been ever since childhood when he and his friend Matt Doyle (Edward Woods) used to steal beer and torment the neighborhood. Now he's all grown up and he has moved on to bigger but not better things. From manhandling his women (Mae Clarke) to murdering old pals, Tom is nothing short of a terror. In spite of his nastiness, one can't help but like him and hope that he gets away with his terrible deeds.
The use of violence in the film is interesting. We never really see anything happening until the very end, which makes for more powerful scenes. The crimes committed are no different than those in modern gangster movies; the difference is the amount of the acts that we are allowed to see. In some ways, the subtlety is more moving, and William Wellman creates some beautiful scenes in spite of the seedy subject matter.
Also appearing are Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow who had spectacular careers after this film. By this time, ... Read More
Rating: -
Public Ememy is a classic "period piece" that takes you back to that time & place in American history (which is what the truely great period movies do) and it still "hold up well" even though it is going on 80 years old.
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