Parts of the film are based on James Cagney's own experience. In the film, Cagney's character, Terry Rooney, is a New York bandleader and hoofer who goes to Hollywood to make a "tough guy" movie. When he gets back from his honeymoon cruise, he discovers the movie has made him a star, and he is mobbed by autograph seekers outside a movie theater where his film is showing. Likewise, Cagney himself was a Broadway hoofer who went to Hollywood in 1930 to make movies. After several supporting roles, Cagney filmed his breakout movie, Nemico pubblico (1931), in early 1931. When filming was completed, Cagney returned to New York, thinking the movie would be nothing special. A few months later he was surprised to see a long line of movie-goers outside a New York theater where "The Public Enemy" was being shown. Cagney had become a star.

Film

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