The Public Enemy (1931): Cast, Ratings & Plot
The Public Enemy is a 1931 crime drama directed by William A. Wellman, starring James Cagney, Edward Woods and Joan Blondell. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- William A. Wellman
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Public Enemy About?
The premise of The Public Enemy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During the 1920s in Chicago, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle rise from poverty through petty theft and bootlegging, quickly escalating to brutal violence. Their notoriety brings them into conflict with both the police and rival gangs. As Tom climbs the criminal ladder, he finds himself torn between his ruthless ambition and his loyalty to his family. Ultimately, a cycle of gang warfare and escalating violence threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
The Public Enemy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- anti hero
- organized crime
- gangster
- prohibition
- beer
- crime boss
- 1920s
- rise and fall
- mother son relationship
- brother brother relationship
- revenge
- bootlegger
+38 more Show fewer
- murder
- irish american
- robbery
- punched in the face
- racketeer
- killing a horse
- ambush
- gangster crime
- loss of brother
- juvenile delinquency
- gang war
- chicago illinois
- grapefruit
- world war one
- mafia
- public enemy
- shot to death
- kidnapping
- bar
- slapped in the face
- shootout
- hospital
- alcohol
- impulsiveness
- gunshot wound
- tanker truck
- death of protagonist
- revolver
- pre code film
- rainstorm
- national film registry
- police officer killed
- bomb
- mob violence
- unlawful
- american gangster
- illegal activities
- american criminal
The Public Enemy Cast
James Cagney leads the cast, with Edward Woods and Joan Blondell. Directed by William A. Wellman; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director William A. Wellman
Also Starring in The Public Enemy
· 6 moreMore from William A. Wellman
More films directed by William A. Wellman, best-rated first: Wings, A Star Is Born, Nothing Sacred and Beau Geste.
The Public Enemy Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Public Enemy 80 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 8.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB
The Public Enemy Plot Summary
What happens in The Public Enemy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Tom Powers, portrayed by James Cagney in what is considered a landmark performance, alongside his partner Matt Doyle, played by Edward Woods, are two resilient youths navigating the harsh realities of life in 1920s Chicago. Raised in poverty and desperation, they find themselves working for the notorious Putty Nose, a fence with dubious intentions. Initially, he offers them a golden opportunity to execute a robbery, promising he will aid them should anything go awry. However, when the robbery goes south, Putty Nose abandons them to face the consequences alone.
Full summary
The whole story of The Public Enemy, scene by scene
The Public Enemy Awards & Nominations
The Public Enemy was nominated for 1 Oscar.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1932 1 nomination- Nominated Writing (Original Story)
The Public Enemy Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip Heats On
- Clip Gang War Breaks Out
How Well Do You Know The Public Enemy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays Tom Powers in 'The Public Enemy'?
Cars in The Public Enemy
12 cars on screen, including the 1930 LaSalle All Weather Phaeton and the Moreland.
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1930 LaSalle All Weather Phaeton Important role -
Moreland Minor role -
1929 Packard Standard Eight Minor role -
1928 Sterling EB 18 Minor role
The Public Enemy Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Обществен враг номер 1” and “Beer and Blood”.
- Also known as
-
- Обществен враг номер 1
- Beer and Blood
- Враг народа
- L’Ennemi public
- Nemico pubblico
- Der öffentliche Feind
- El enemigo público
- O Inimigo Público
- Враг общества
- אויב העם
- 国民公敌
- A közellenség
+11 more Show fewer
- Обществен враг
- Veřejný nepřítel
- Public Enemy - samhällets fiende nr 1
- Halk Düşmanı
- Inimigo Público
- 공공의 적
- Wróg publiczny
- دشمن عمومی
- Samfundets Fjende
- Ο Εχθρός της Κοινωνίας
- 民衆の敵
Seen The Public Enemy?
Movies Like The Public Enemy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Public Enemies, Public Enemies and The People’s Enemy.
The Public Enemy FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Public Enemy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Public Enemy?
The Public Enemy runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was The Public Enemy released?
The Public Enemy was released on May 15, 1931.
Who directed The Public Enemy?
The Public Enemy was directed by William A. Wellman.
More films by William A. Wellman Who is in the cast of The Public Enemy?
The Public Enemy stars James Cagney, Edward Woods and Joan Blondell, among 10 credited actors.
How is The Public Enemy rated?
The Public Enemy has 80 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
Was The Public Enemy nominated for any awards?
The Public Enemy received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Public Enemy have a post-credit scene?
No. The Public Enemy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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