The Public Enemy (1931)

Regular $15/ $11 Matinee
Member $11/ $6 Matinee

Genre

---

Release Year

---

Director

William A. Wellman

Cast

James Cagney, Jean Harlow

Country

USA

Runtime

83 min

Accessibility

Limited Mobility Access

January 22 Only!

James Cagney created his career-defining role in William Wellman’s 1931 landmark gangster movie, THE PUBLIC ENEMY, also starring Jean Harlow, Mae Clarke, and Joan Blondell. The film, which was nominated for an Academy Award® for “Best Screenplay,” traces the rise and fall of prohibition-era mobster Tom Powers (Cagney). From his childhood corrupted by the beer hall, pool parlor, and false friends, to his adulthood as a henchman of ruthless but innately decent bootlegger Paddy Ryan (Robert O’Connor), Tom rises to the top of the heap, with all the accoutrements of success: custom-tailored tuxedoes, fancy cars, and gorgeous girls. But fate soon takes Tom down another path. Tommy’s degeneration from brash kid to vicious low-life is brought home in the now-legendary scene in which he smashes a grapefruit in the face of his latest mistress (Mae Clarke).

Featured Films in this Series:

coming soon

His Three Daughters

August 15

This tense, touching, and funny portrait of family dynamics follows three estranged sisters as they converge in a New York apartment to care for their ailing father and try to mend their own broken relationship with one another.

 

coming soon

An American in Paris (1951)

August 31 & September 3

A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

coming soon

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

August 24 & 27

A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

coming soon

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

August 17 & 20

A poor little boy wins a ticket to visit the inside of a mysterious and magical chocolate factory.

coming soon

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

August 10 & 13

A rock singer travels to a small Ohio town to make his “farewell” television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.

NOt a montclair film member?

Join over 1,500 happy members who get early access to events and screenings throughout the year.