THE DOORWAY TO HELL
US, 1930, 78 minutes, Black and white.
Lew Ayres, Dorothy Mathews, Robert Elliott, James Cagney.
Directed by Archie Mayo.
The Doorway to Hell is one of the earliest Warner Bros gangster films. James Cagney was to make his mark soon in The Public Enemy as well as many gangster films during the 1930s (as well as being on the side of good with G- Men and other pro-G- Men films). Lew Ayres had just appeared in All Quiet on the Western Front and was a seemingly strange choice for the rather young and handsome gangster who is able to organise the gangs and the distribution of beer in the city. He falls in love with Dorothy Mathews and gives up everything to go to Florida. However, chaos ensues in the city and he is drawn back, especially when two thugs kidnap his brother who is a student in a military school and he is run over. This puts him beyond the law once again, into prison, escaping, finally confronting the police.
James Cagney is the 2-IC and performs in a way that became so popular during the 1930s.
The film was directed by Archie Mayo who was to go on to direct such films as The Petrified Forest and The Perfect Specimen.
1. Warner Bros and gangster films? Tough, the streets, the gangs? Real life in the US at the beginning of the 1930s? The prelude to the popular gangster films of the period?
2. The city, black and white photography, the score? The headquarters, the bars? The breweries? The contrast with Florida and the wealthy life?
3. Louie Ricano, Lew Ayres, young and handsome? His control? His control over the gangs, the threats? The gangsters submitting to him? His working with Mileaway? Reliance on him? In love with Doris? Order in the city? His discussions with Captain Pat O’ Grady? His decision to marry, give everything up? The reaction of the gangs? His going to Florida, enjoying the life? Doris and her wanting to return to the city, Doris and her relationship with Mileaway? Louie and his brother, at the academy? His visit with Doris, the meal? The news of his brother’s death, stalking out the killers, holed up, in prison, the escape, O’ Grady’s visit, the bringing of the dinner – and the confrontation with the criminals? Their deaths?
4. Mileaway, James Cagney’s presence, style? His service to Louie? The relationship with Doris? Behind Louie’s back? O’ Grady seeing him with Doris in the mirror? Yet his continued loyalty?
5. The range of criminals, the gang leaders, their confrontations with Louie, his staring them down? The organisation? His departure, their reactions, the internal struggles? Raids and deaths?
6. Jackie, military school, discussions with his friend? His brother’s visit? The abduction, getting away, the accident?
7. Police and gangsters – and the film as a portrait of criminal America in 1930?
