The Public Enemy

The Public Enemy

1931. USA. Directed by William A. Wellman. Screenplay by Kubec Glasmon, John Bright, Harvey Thew. With James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Joan Blondell. Tom, a petty thief who’s feeling the heat from his family and the police, seeks better fortunes with a mobster named “Nails” Nathan. Quickly becoming a successful bootlegger, Tom finds himself “successful” with the ladies as well; when his girlfriend Kitty complains once too often, Tom shoves half a grapefruit in her face. This iconic scene between Cagney and actress Mae Clark has become one of cinema’s most well known. This print represents the shortened, post-censor version. 83 min.