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Feature film — 1931

The Public Enemy (1931)

7.31h 24mCrime — Drama

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.

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A high-signal pick with 409 votes.

The Vitaphone Corporation / Warner Bros. Pictures

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Director: William A. Wellman

On screen

Cast & crew

James Cagney as Tom Powers

James Cagney

Tom Powers

Jean Harlow as Gwen Allen

Jean Harlow

Gwen Allen

Edward Woods as Matt Doyle

Edward Woods

Matt Doyle

Joan Blondell as Mamie

Joan Blondell

Mamie

Donald Cook as Mike Powers

Donald Cook

Mike Powers

Leslie Fenton as Samuel 'Nails' Nathan

Leslie Fenton

Samuel 'Nails' Nathan

Beryl Mercer as Ma Powers

Beryl Mercer

Ma Powers

Robert Emmett O'Connor as Paddy Ryan

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Paddy Ryan

Murray Kinnell as Putty Nose

Murray Kinnell

Putty Nose

C

Clark Burroughs

Dutch (uncredited)

Mae Clarke as Kitty (uncredited)

Mae Clarke

Kitty (uncredited)

Frank Coghlan Jr. as Tom as a Boy (uncredited)

Frank Coghlan Jr.

Tom as a Boy (uncredited)

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