A G-man goes undercover to infiltrate a gang, helping the group's leader escape from prison to gain his trust.A G-man goes undercover to infiltrate a gang, helping the group's leader escape from prison to gain his trust.A G-man goes undercover to infiltrate a gang, helping the group's leader escape from prison to gain his trust.
William Bailey
- Federal Agent
- (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict
- Bar Patron
- (uncredited)
Ed Brady
- Convict in Prison
- (uncredited)
Frank Bruno
- Extra Leaving Theater
- (uncredited)
Lane Chandler
- Train Conductor
- (uncredited)
Cora Sue Collins
- Little Girl
- (uncredited)
Helene Costello
- Convict Wife
- (uncredited)
Nell Craig
- Duff's Secretary with Telegram
- (uncredited)
Frank Darien
- Dr. Hale - Plastic Surgeon
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaContractual requirements were the reason why the name of Lionel Barrymore, who was definitely a secondary and supporting player, as far as the story was concerned, received first billing, and Jean Arthur, the leading lady, but in no way the principal participant, received second billing, while Chester Morris, around whom the entire story revolved, and who was in practically every scene of any consequence, was relegated to third position.
- GoofsDuring the big shoot out, the window frame that "Sonny" peeks out of goes from damaged to undamaged to being damaged again.
- Quotes
Prison Warden: Crane, you were convicted of a hold up.
Jeff Crane: Sure! I stuck up a beer joint and got twelve bucks. Now, I'm buried alive for ten years. Ten years off my life for twelve dirty bucks! Is that fair?
Prison Warden: Yes. If your gun hadn't jammed you'd a killed a man for twelve dirty bucks. Was that fair?
- ConnectionsFeatures The Big House (1930)
Featured review
no masterpiece, but fun and surprising
Public Hero #1 starts out as a conventional prison yarn, then switches to sophisticated screwball comedy, then back to shoot 'em up melodrama. Perhaps it is the way the cast handles the crackling dialogue by J Walter Reuben and Wells Root that makes this mixed-genre film so entertaining. It never sinks into torpidity, thanks in part to the introduction of Jean Arthur and Lionel Barrymore well into the proceedings. Until then it is up to Chester Morris to hold our interest, which he does robustly, as an undercover federal agent posing as a convict to trap bad guy Joseph Calleia and his gang. Barrymore, however, steals the show as a pickled-to-the-gills alcoholic mob doctor - the great ham at his hammiest. Calleia contributes a nicely textured portrait of a hardened but still human criminal. All in all, an energetic if contrived gangster story spiked with laughs, fun plot twists and colorful characters. The final moment is interesting. It's as if Chester Morris was itching to wrap and go home that day, didn't like the way the fade out was written, so he recklessly improvised the last line and the last blocking bit and then the director gave in and allowed it. See for yourself!
helpful•320
- mukava991
- Jun 23, 2006
Details
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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