The Public Enemy - Piano Scene

[@grahamholton8542]

it is amazing that 1931 was so soon after the first talkie but the director had already grasped how to make a dramatic talking film

[@greeremalachi926]

Yes, The directing, voice, affect, interplay of the characters etc., better than anything now! I can't explain it?

[@dandogzbutt1518]

directors probably were writing scenes that utilized sound from the beginning regardless of what technology allowed. I'm sure the scripts were evolving silently in their circles, just waiting for technology to catch up to their imaginations. thats probably why it seems like they mastered sound so quickly, because they had already been dreaming about writing sound scenes for the previous decade

[@pedebe100]

They borrowed a lot from theater obviously

[@dandogzbutt1518]

@@pedebe100 oh yeah facts lmao i didn't even think about that

[@suave-rider]

they were still trying to figure out the sound. When the guys walked along or up the stairs it sounded like horses clip clopping

[@margeshilling7983]

James Cagney was electrifying in this movie. He never played a supporting role again. The final scene of this movie is terrifying almost 80 years later.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Initially, Cagney was cast as Doyle but Director William Wellman quickly realized that he would be ideal as Powers.

[@margeshilling7983]

@cary derryberry I'm 69 now and it still shocks me.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@tommy gunnor I've seen the ending several times, and it shows Tommy's mother upstairs getting Tommy's bed ready and I'll always wonder what - how well she would've reacted to Tommy's death, but she was deprived of that scene; Tommy was making more money than Mike, and social security didn't exist yet!

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@Felix as a cop The first time I saw "Public Enemy" in the 1960s I was 8 years old, what about when Dobbs was killed? They're just pretending, Bogart wanted to get back in time for the boat races ...

[@sylvesterquast5832]

Made in 1931

[@jamesdrynan]

Cagney was so cold! Orson Welles once said of Cagney "... maybe the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera. " And so much more. He sued Warner Brothers for breach of contract and won. He was instrumental in forming the Screen Actors Guild. And boy, could he dance! Oscar for Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[@sgdgsc3236]

Love these old classics I never get bored watching them, and James Gagney,,,,, what can I say of him that hasn't been said,,, what an actor I love it when he does that move with his shoulder,,,,, tough guy

[@hamburgareable]

0:39-0:46 "Sure, Putty! You taught us how to cheat, steal and kill. Then you ran away from us!"

[@jettrink7510]

29, 30, 31... these are the years of the most enjoyable movies.

[@edwardwaliczek5061]

When movies were movies......thanks JC

[@robertkriwer2345]

Looks like Matt felt a little sad,lol.

[@edwardwaliczek5061]

+robert kriwer Hes missing out on a piano lesson form Puddy lol

[@greg33770]

your right Edward....love these old movies on TCM !

[@raymondsteen5316]

@@greg33770 - I hear ya on that one bigtime!

[@derrickwest2576]

Guess I'll call up Gwen she ought be home by now....

[@wyliefox100]

"Ding dings in a street caah!" Love that accent.

[@alvexok5523]

I love the terminologies they used back then also, ding dings, jane, dames, what's the idea?, ya lousy mug, etc.

[@wyliefox100]

@@alvexok5523 In yer hat!

[@phase1342]

Does that mean they would’ve kept theyre legitimate jobs?

[@phase1342]

Word up to all the heads in the hizouse

[@WhiteWoodEnt]

@@phase1342 yes what does this mean exactly

[@Celluloidwatcher]

Always found this scene interesting in The Public Enemy. Nervous former gang leader plays a familiar tune on the piano before getting "plugged," as the term from the Prohibition Era was used. One of my favorites. Thanks for uploading.

[@steelers6titles]

Cagney had made his debut the year before in "Sinners Holiday" (1930), the film version of the stage hit "Penny Arcade". Jimmy's pal Joan Blondell also debuted in that movie; she plays Mamie in "The Public Enemy".

[@brucescott4261]

Cagney played others roles throughout his illustrious career. He didn't want to be typecast as a gangster. I don't blame him, at all.

[@capitanfuturo594]

James Gagney was a badass in real life.

[@jonathancarlson6127]

“Tommy, Matt… whutcha gonna do?” “I’m gonna shove grapefruits in your face!”

[@capitanfuturo594]

_"I learned to speak English from guys like James Cagney"_ *Tony Montana*

[@hamburgareable]

1:14 "Why, you dirty double crossing motherf-..!"

[@greg33770]

one of my favorite movies ! 🙂 🤗

[@debbief9861]

Just a masterclass, in every way.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I love the expressions on Matt's face.

[@phase1342]

Matt wanted to show mercy... he mightve if not for Powers...

[@phase1342]

Matt didnt catch a body the whole movie he aint gangsta.. 😆😆

[@phase1342]

And they wanted HIM tobe TOM POWERS lol

[@edwardhamilton1829]

The best gangster Movie of all time Even today

[@jamesmullikin3045]

This reminds me of the scene in Scarface when Tony kills Frank

[@capitanfuturo594]

Or when Michael orders Tessio executed. Or when Tony, Silvio and Paulie kill Puss.

[@Michele-ot6bf]

Yes)

[@thomasbrown3356]

This is my favorite scene in all Gangster movies-:past and present.

[@Mozes316]

I like to imagine that right after the shots were fired, the last keys you hear, were made by the victim continuing trying to play with two bullets embedded in his skull. Collapsing right after. Sort of like a Looney Tunes cartoon.

[@sergividal661]

Black cat

[@justinneill5003]

If Putty hadn't started singing he might have survived.

[@WhiteWoodEnt]

Lol

[@khankrum1]

Didn't he know? The pianist ALWAYS gets it!

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Pianos can be so expressive sometimes.

[@capitanfuturo594]

Always!

[@bobrobert3642]

Such a great scene

[@TheOriginalShoneBoyOnYT]

Cold blooded scene

[@johnhawk1969]

The black cat tells all that is about to happen....

[@TKellybal]

C'mon make that coffee to go, let's go.....d'fuck you doin it's a joke a joke put d'fuckin pot down

[@Zebred2001]

Tom Powers should be a judge on America's Got Talent!

[@seandafny]

Lol

[@roberttaylor7366]

“Back in the club back in back in the club. Oh you kids used to laugh at that song”

[@eamonwright7488]

The OG “Up in The club!!

[@TheUNKLEPaulTHX]

im trying to remember where ive heard the sample

[@maureencora1]

Whacked Playing the Piano. That's was Gangster.

[@ovik2k389]

Dude begging like Frank in Scarface

[@TheTrashStash]

the original scarface probably borrowed that scene from this, this was 1931, the original scarface was the year after 1932 and had a scene like this, and then the 80's scarface was a remake

[@warden9876]

Who on Earth could have thought that this first gangster movie would be the best, better than Godfather sequels, and much better than other raft of these kind movies

[@ricardocantoral7672]

This was not the first gangster film. I can't quite say which one it is but most film historians say it's Raoul Walsh's Regeneration.

[@seandafny]

Not the best either.

[@mickkelley7508]

Yeah the first one was the first scarface with Paul Muni

[@andresihotang2314]

@@mickkelley7508 Scarface was 1932, this movie was out in 1931.

[@mickkelley7508]

@@andresihotang2314 correct. I was thinking of "little caesar"

[@Kelly14UK]

Saw this as a 9 or something year old boy in the '70s on the telly, think it was BBC1 or 2?

[@Kelly14UK]

@Marcus Gonzalez When i saw this scene back then i found it pretty jarring. Fast forward 20 years and i see the film thinking "ahead of its time". Later i discovered the Hays Code.

[@alvexok5523]

@@Kelly14UK Yep, the ol Hays code. Those early 30s pre-Hays code films showed exactly how those times really were, totally uncensored. But, you still never heard the f word, that word wasn't really around yet in the 1930s. If it was, it would've been in pre-Hays code films, they were totally uncensored. It just shows, that there was still something better and cleaner about those times compared to today. I do not like how things are today

[@mandolemite]

Yes! I must have seen it at the same time! It was one afternoon, obviously at the weekend, in the first half of the seventies. All the kids on our road had watched it as well, so we all ended up playing gangsters that afternoon.

[@j.r.9170]

Tony Soprano loved this movie

[@tonymarzocco8962]

He's got a Jane in there.....not!

[@raymondsteen5316]

Guess he plugged him because he didn't like the way he played the piano......LOL!!!!

[@billyshead1339]

Hahah putty nose looked scared as shit. Great film. It makes me think of my grandfather. R.i.p. Pa Pa

[@phase1342]

Friend .... Tell Putty Nose..!how lonnng does he have to waiiiitt...?

[@marcydenville1756]

He sings Hesitation Blues

[@TheTrashStash]

trying to figure out how Norm Macdonald time traveled to the 30's to play Matt!

[@capitanfuturo594]

Norm McDonald 😔 He is no longer with us.

[@TheTrashStash]

@@capitanfuturo594 rip. he was my favorite comedian.

[@capitanfuturo594]

@@TheTrashStash It's a shame his dead. I really liked his performance in one of her last roles on the ABC Sitcom, "The Middle."

[@scotnick59]

"You'll be on the edge of your seats when you see *THE PUBLIC ENEMA* - lol

[@charlesbukowski9836]

Yanes Cagney.. teach me to talk..

[@rmb743]

Angels with dirty faces #1

[@richardnieto1423]

Ain't you got ah heart Mattie boy

[@zegumazim6107]

the only Jane in there was Palmela and her 5 sisters 🖐🥒💦😭😭

[@sonarmass]

Wasn’t “”Putty•Nose”” in the film the *The Secret Six*?

[@maralinekozial9131]

This movie cray

[@susanb2015]

Poor Puddy.

[@barringtonsmith9147]

There's hardly a movie where Jimmy Cagney doesn't have a gun

[@KeishenLloyd]

Myeeaahhh see?

[@greeremalachi926]

Heavy. (on a side note TCM only shows two Cagney movies over and over and over.....Anyone know which two?)

[@phase1342]

First the black cat... lol now peep game and close attention to detail of cagneys facial expressions @piano part”tell me how long do i have to wait or can i have it nowwwew...”Cagneys face says”ur not gonna wait long...!” Hahahahaha peep game beeothches

[@mu99ins]

I guess that was before fingerprints.

[@phase1342]

Tell putty nose how long he has to waiiiiiit....

[@mandolemite]

Although he arguably brought it on himself, I could not help but feel a bit sorry for Putty Nose. Why was he called that anyway?

[@joejaydee]

Vincent gardenia could play this role.

[@OmayraPacheco-m7n]

His father knew people I knew.🎉 WGNJMN

[@ducthanhdao9760]

HAND!!!!!!!

[@gnscoverage9703]

Why did Tommy kill him?

[@johnhawk1969]

Putty Nose

[@garyunold2610]

Putty got ot good

[@johnhawk1969]

Liked this era of movies(30s/40s)

[@garyunold2610]

YES THE BEST MOVIES.THE 30 40 50 GREAT MOVIES

[@capitanfuturo594]

(0:02) A black cat 😱

[@adrianf2368]

2:22 Paid in full sample

[@anthonyguzman9213]

Came here for this!! I was watching this movie the other day and when he said that line I was like “what’s this sampled in!!??” I couldn’t remember. Thanks!

[@steelers6titles]

Putty Nose's song sounds like a variant of "Hesitation Blues".

[@b.deville3236]

It IS "Hesitation Blues".

[@polochinchinlin9111]

where can a find the Putty Nose lyrics song?

[@u-isabeats3346]

1:25

[@shafarrsavoy7332]

Why did the man playing the piano who got shot say afterward..... "Haaaaaaa..." like he was trying to get a word out but couldn't? Lol!

[@howiesmith1504]

The word was "hat." Early in the movie, Putty played and sang "Hesitation Blues" for the kids, including young Tom and Matt, and the word listeners were led to expect was "prat," a now-forgotten slang word for your butt. (It survives in the term "pratfall" for old-time slapstick comedians taking falls on their rears.) The verse would have been considered somewhat risque when the movie was made.

[@shafarrsavoy7332]

@@howiesmith1504 thank you for the reply and explanation. I felt it was great as is. The reason being that he was shot trying to get that last word out but couldn't and it come out hilarious.

[@phase1342]

He said” back..” lizzy jones big and fat listen fool lol

[@larryrobinson6914]

Boys don't you remember the songs I played you????

[@dr.spectre9697]

Compare this & The Godfather….HUGE difference between when a regular WASP directs & acts in a movie vs when an Italian directs a cast of mostly Italian Americans in a movie…..both movies are great however just different.

[@warden9876]

Godfather especially part 1 is good, but part 1 and especially part 2 and part 3 have many boring places. This classic could be watched at one breath without ever getting bored.

[@devonhayes2209]

These movies from the 30's were about regular hoods and gangsters not the mafia. Two completely different topics

[@snakers716]

Part 2 has boring spots? Yeah if you have the attention span of a 5 year old and can't appreciate great cinema.... Its a masterpiece that only fools get bored with, much better than 1 IMO

[@mkeogh76]

The gangsters in "The Public Enemy" are mostly Irish (Tom Powers, Matt Doyle, and Paddy Ryan) or Jewish (Nails Nathan and Putty Nose). There are no Italians or WASPs. Also, Jimmy Cagney was white, but he was neither Anglo-Saxon nor Protestant.

[@howiesmith1504]

@@mkeogh76 The Putty Nose character was Irish. When Putty skips out and leaves Tom and Matt adrift after setting them up with the fur robbery in which they kill a cop, Tom snaps, "Next time I see that McGonigle, I'm gonna give it to him right in the head!" Nails Nathan, BTW, was closely based on a real-life Jewish Chicago gangster, Samuel "Nails" Morton, a very tough WW1 war hero and reportedly a well liked guy in the community. And he actually was killed in a riding accident, and some of his bootlegging pals did shoot the horse. Tom and Matt were fictional characters.

[@zeuqzavaj9630]

Stop the music Stop the music

[@jettsteari3062]

Here is the thing. First the sound production of the time made the actors delivery , their acting appear less real, authentic. Of course being 1930 .many of them came from theatre and Vaudville. They brought that style of acting to the screen . Which translated as stiff and fake. "Overacting " Not Cagney . Even here you can see and hear how real he was. The actor who played Puddy and the guy who played Matt, were in stark contrast to Cagneys way of acting . The way Of saying his lines. Brando himself said James Cagney was incredible . At the same time he had no admiration for Cooper, Gable, John Want ..etc. coming from Marlon , one of the greatest if not THE greatest actor who ever lived ..that says it all.