This is the film that brought James Cagney back to the gangster film, the genre that made him a star. Cagney plays Cody Jarrett a robber and killer with the psychosis of both migrane headaches and a mother fixation that rivals Oedipus Rex. He is a totally repulsive character whom no viewer should feel sympathy for.
Screenwriters Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts make this more than just a gangster tale. But it is Cagney who makes it works. He takes Jarrett way over the top and he is so successful you actually feel sorry for him. He has many great moments, including the finale when he makes it to the "top of the world" by blowing up a oil refinery.
A stellar supporting cast including Virginia Mayo,(who never looked better), Steve Cochran, John Archer, and Edmond O'Brien(almost as good as Cagney as Judas)are great as is Director Raoul Walsh's frenetic pace. But the star of the show is Cagney, who personally hated the film, calling it a quick cheapie, but he needed the money and his career needed a jump start. He was right, a new generation of fans discovered him and his star would never fall again
"White Heat" though was well received upon it's release and has become one of the greatest gangster films ever made. In the list of great James Cagney performances, this is near the top of that world.
Screenwriters Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts make this more than just a gangster tale. But it is Cagney who makes it works. He takes Jarrett way over the top and he is so successful you actually feel sorry for him. He has many great moments, including the finale when he makes it to the "top of the world" by blowing up a oil refinery.
A stellar supporting cast including Virginia Mayo,(who never looked better), Steve Cochran, John Archer, and Edmond O'Brien(almost as good as Cagney as Judas)are great as is Director Raoul Walsh's frenetic pace. But the star of the show is Cagney, who personally hated the film, calling it a quick cheapie, but he needed the money and his career needed a jump start. He was right, a new generation of fans discovered him and his star would never fall again
"White Heat" though was well received upon it's release and has become one of the greatest gangster films ever made. In the list of great James Cagney performances, this is near the top of that world.