The Public Enemy movie poster

The Public Enemy

"All his life he took what he wanted...Why not women?"

April 23, 1931 1h 24m 7.2/10 (376 votes)

Originally released in 1931. The Public Enemy is a crime/drama film. directed by William A. Wellman. At just 84 minutes, it's a tight, focused story.

Starring James Cagney, Jean Harlow, and Edward Woods

Synopsis

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.

Quick Facts

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Release Date April 23, 1931 94 years ago
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Runtime 1h 24m 84 minutes total
User Rating 7.2/10 Great (376 votes)
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Budget $151K Production budget
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Box Office $557K 3.7x return
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Language English Original language
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Country United States of America Production

Production Details

Status
Released
Original Language
EN
Budget
$151,000
Revenue
$557,000

Production Companies

  • The Vitaphone Corporation
  • Warner Bros. Pictures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Public Enemy 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 new...

Who directed The Public Enemy?

The Public Enemy was directed by William A. Wellman.

How long is The Public Enemy?

The Public Enemy has a runtime of 1 hours and 24 minutes (84 minutes total).

When was The Public Enemy released?

The Public Enemy was released on April 23, 1931 in theaters.

Who are the main actors in The Public Enemy?

The main cast of The Public Enemy includes James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edward Woods, Joan Blondell, Donald Cook.

Is The Public Enemy worth watching?

The Public Enemy has a user rating of 7.2/10 based on 376 reviews, indicating very good reception from audiences.