In the early 1930s, Hollywood fell in love with gangsters.

Tales of crime and violent street life had provided inspiration for films since the

silent era, but at the dawn of the 30s,

a rash of new movies hit American screens

that solidified the image of the cigar-chomping,

machine-gun-toting, pop culture hoodlum.

1931 saw the release of City Streets starring Gary Cooper, Little Caesar, starring Edward G. Robinson,

and Public Enemy, starring the ultimate gangster actor James Cagney.

All of these movies traced the rise and fall of ambitious criminals caught up in

the dangerous world of Prohibition era racketeering. And each film did its part to move the needle

in terms of how much violence could be shown on the American screen. In the case of public enemy,

the director William Wellman apparently promised studio head Jack Warner that, quote,

I'll bring you the toughest, most violent picture you ever did see, end quote. Many critics agreed that he did just that.

James Cagney's unhinged and abusive crook would become the baseline for every bad

gangster impression for the next century.

I didn't ask you if any lip.

I asked you if you had a drink.

I know, Tom, but, yeah, I wish the...

There you go to wishing stuff again.

I wish you was a wishing well.

That I could tie a bucket to you and sink it.

Ah, you gotta love it.

...