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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.
Theatrical
May 15, 1931
Box Office
$557K
Budget
$151K
Return
3.7x
DVD / Blu-ray
Jan 25, 2005
Theaters
1
Director
William A. Wellman
Producer
Darryl F. Zanuck
Studio
The Vitaphone Corporation, Warner Bros. Pictures
Quotes
See all →The Rise of a Notorious Criminal
Taglines
He Makes All Men's Land NO-MAN'S-LAND! THE PUBLIC ENEMY Who Is He? BORN OF GREED! EDUCATED IN EVIL! EXISTED BY GUILE!
Confronting Strengths and Weaknesses in Conflict
Tom Powers
Hiding behind Ma's skirts, like always.
Mike Powers
Better than hiding behind a machine gun.
Morning Tensions and Unspoken Feelings
Jane
Breakfast is all ready, Tommy.
Tom Powers
I ain't hungry. Pour me some coffee, will you, and make it black.
Jane
You aren't sorry are you?
Tom Powers
Sorry? Sorry about what?
Jane
For last night.
Tom Powers
What do you mean? For getting drunk?
Jane
Aren't you the little play actor.
Tom Powers
Wait a minute... Do you mean that... Why you...
[He slaps Jane]
Nightcap and Assistance Between Friends
Tom Powers
I'm going to hit the hay.
Jane
I thought you'd like a little nightcap, Tommy. You don't need to feel ashamed in front of me, Tommy. Here, let me help you.
[She starts to undress Tom]
Tom Powers
I don't need any help.
Jane
Be a good boy and sit down. I'll take your shoes off too. I want to do things for you, Tommy. You don't think I'm old, do you, Tommy?
Tom Powers
No.
Jane
You like me, don't you Tommy?
Tom Powers
Sure... What's the idea?
Jane
Just a good night kiss for a fine boy.
Cast
Full credits →J
James Cagney
Tom Powers
J
Jean Harlow
Gwen Allen
E
Edward Woods
Matt Doyle
J
Joan Blondell
Mamie
D
Donald Cook
Mike Powers
L
Leslie Fenton
Samuel 'Nails' Nathan
B
Beryl Mercer
Ma Powers
R
Robert Emmett O'Connor
Paddy Ryan
M
Murray Kinnell
Putty Nose
C
Clark Burroughs
Dutch (uncredited)
M
Mae Clarke
Kitty (uncredited)
F
Frank Coghlan Jr.
Tom as a Boy (uncredited)
G
George Daly
Machine Gunner (uncredited)
F
Frankie Darro
Matt as a Boy (uncredited)
S
Snitz Edwards
Miller (uncredited)
R
Rita Flynn
Molly Doyle (uncredited)
D
Douglas Gerrard
Assistant Tailor (uncredited)
D
Dorothy Gray
Little Girl (uncredited)
B
Ben Hendricks Jr.
'Bugs' Moran as a Boy (uncredited)
R
Robert Homans
Officer Pat Burke (uncredited)
