The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy (Warner Brothers, 1931) elevated James Cagney to stardom, just as its gangster predecessor Little Caesar (1930) brought Edward G. Robinson fame.
With Public Enemy, Cagney introduced a new kind of hoodlum, a rogue that punched, slapped or killed anyone that stood in his way, brutal to those who betrayed him and even rough to women too, much to the outrage of audiences of the time. The infamous grapefruit scene caused women's groups around America to protest the on-screen abuse of Mae Clarke.
Edward Woods was originally hired for the lead role of Tom Powers and James Cagney was hired to play Matt Doyle, his friend. However, once director William A. Wellman witnessed Cagney’s dominating presence, he realized that Cagney would be far more effective in the star role than Woods, and so switched them.
In Public Enemy Cagney commands the screen as Tom Powers, a troubled youth who along with his friend Matt Doyle rise to the top of the criminal world during the prohibition era, whilst two beautiful women, Jean Harlow and Joan Blondell illuminate the screen.
Tom's crooked way of life is constantly set against his law abiding brother Mike, who has a job during the day, studies at night and later serves as a marine during the Great War.
Whilst his brother fights aboard, Tom and Matt’s petty crimes soon become bigger as they succumb to the riches of the underworld.
Although much of its violence is off-camera, it still has the power to shock, even today.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yankee Doodle Dandy (Warner Brothers, 1942), directed by Michael Curtiz, is an autobiographical musical of George M. Cohan (1878-1942), a legendary Broadway showman, composer, actor and dancer.
James Cagney won his only Oscar for his portrayal of George M. Cohan and cites in his autobiography that Yankee Doodle Dandy was the favourite of his movies, largely due to his love of dancing.
Yankee Doodle Dandy tells of Cohan’s early days as a child-star with his family's vaudeville show up to the time of his comeback at which he received a medal from the president for his special contributions to the US.
Its cast includes Walter Huston as Cohan’s father, Rosemary DeCamp as Cohan’s wife, Joan Leslie as Cohan’s wife and Cagney's real-life sister Jeanne Cagney as Josie Cohan. Yet its James Cagney who shines with his superb acting, singing and dancing skills, all of which worthy of his Oscar win.
Cagney agreed to play the role of George M. Cohan once more in The Seven Little Foys (1955), on condition that he would not be paid for the role. Cagney did the role as a tribute to Eddie Foy, who had generously provided occasional meals for struggling young actors, including Cagney, in 1920s New York.
James Cagney was one of the great ‘tough guys’ of all time on film, but dancing was his passion, and in Yankee Doodle Dandy it shows!
White Heat
In 1949 James Cagney returned to Warner Brothers and his famed hoodlum role to star as Cody Jarrett in White Heat - one of the greatest crime melodramas of all time.
White Heat was directed by Raoul Walsh, whom Cagney had worked with previously in The Roaring Twenties (1939) and The Strawberry Blonde (1941).
With an electrifying supporting cast including Virginia Mayo as Jarrett’s scheming wife, Edmond O'Brien as an undercover cop and Margaret Wycherly as Jarrett’s fiercely devoted mother - whose relationship with Jarrett took inspiration from the exploits of Kate Barker (aka Ma Baker) and her bank robber sons.
Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody Jarrett is a volatile and violent leader of a gang of thieves. After orchestrating a murderous train heist, Cody Jarrett outfoxes the law and the death sentence by using an already planned alibi to serve time for a lesser crime.
From jail Jarrett intends to still run his gang, yet his wife and her lover (Jarrett's ambitious right-hand man) conspire to have him murdered whilst he’s locked away. Yet their plan is foiled by Vic Pardo, an undercover cop - sent to serve time with Jarrett, and tasked to befriend the killer and learn the identity of his fence, who launders stolen money for Jarrett.
Hearing news of his mothers murder at the hands of his right-hand man, a crazed Cody Jarrett escapes with Vic Pardo, setting the stage for his ultimate betrayal and downfall.
The power of White Heat not only comes from its many double-crosses but exhilarating performances, great screenplay and excellent direction. Its ending features one of the most quoted movie lines in film history, White Heat has gone on to receive universal acclaim and it is still to many 'Top of the world!'