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m Roman Spinner moved page Public Hero No. 1 to Public Hero ﹟1: although the appended poster depicts the title as Public Hero Number 1 and the appended screenshot from the trailer shows the title to be Public Hero No. 1, the on-screen title in the opening credits is Public Hero #1
 
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{{short description|1935 film by J. Walter Ruben}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Public Hero No. 1
| name = Public Hero ﹟1
| image = Public-Hero-Number-One-1935-Poster-2.jpg
| image = Public-Hero-Number-One-1935-Poster-2.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| director = [[J. Walter Ruben]]
| director = [[J. Walter Ruben]]
| producer = [[Lucien Hubbard]]
| producer = [[Lucien Hubbard]]
| writer = J. Walter Ruben (story)<br>[[Wells Root]] (story and screenplay)
| screenplay = [[Wells Root]]
| based_on = Story by J. Walter Ruben<br>''and'' [[Wells Root]]
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Lionel Barrymore]]<br>[[Jean Arthur]]<br>[[Chester Morris]]<br>[[Joseph Calleia]]
| starring = [[Lionel Barrymore]]<br>[[Jean Arthur]]<br>[[Chester Morris]]<br>[[Joseph Calleia]]
| music = [[Edward Ward (composer)|Edward Ward]]
| music = [[Edward Ward (composer)|Edward Ward]]
| cinematography = [[Gregg Toland]]
| cinematography = [[Gregg Toland]], [[A.S.C.]]
| editing = [[Frank Sullivan (film editor)|Frank Sullivan]]
| editing = [[Frank Sullivan (film editor)|Frank Sullivan]]
| studio = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| studio = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
| distributor = [[Loews Cineplex Entertainment|Loew's Inc.]]
| released = {{Film date|1935|05|31}}
| released = {{Film date|1935|05|31}}
| runtime = 89 minutes
| runtime = 89 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Public Hero No. 1''''' is a 1935 American crime film starring [[Lionel Barrymore]], [[Jean Arthur]], [[Chester Morris]] and [[Joseph Calleia]]. The [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] production was directed by [[J. Walter Ruben]].
'''''Public Hero ﹟1''''' is a 1935 American crime film starring [[Lionel Barrymore]], [[Jean Arthur]], [[Chester Morris]] and [[Joseph Calleia]]. The [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] production was directed by [[J. Walter Ruben]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Undercover [[FBI]] agent Jeff Crane (Chester Morris) is planted in the same prison as Sonny Black (Joseph Calleia), who is suspected of belonging to the notorious [[The Purple Gang|Purple Gang]]. Jeff helps Sonny escape in the hope that he will lead Jeff back to the rest of the gang.
Undercover [[FBI]] agent Jeff Crane is planted in the same prison as Sonny Black, who is suspected of belonging to the notorious [[The Purple Gang|Purple Gang]]. Jeff helps Sonny escape in the hope that he will lead Jeff to the rest of the gang.


Sonny is seriously wounded during the escape, and makes his way to his home in central Wisconsin. He sends Jeff for Dr. Josiah Glass (Lionel Barrymore), an alcoholic who has saved the lives of many of the gang members. In his rush, Jeff forces a bus off the road during a late-night rainstorm. One of the passengers, Maria Theresa "Terry" O'Reilly (Jean Arthur), gets him to take the stranded people back to town. However, he refuses Terry's persistent requests that he drive her to her destination, only a few miles away.
Sonny is seriously wounded during the escape. Once the fugitives reach his home in central Wisconsin, he sends Jeff for Dr. Josiah Glass, an alcoholic who has saved the lives of many of the gang members. In his rush, Jeff forces a bus off the road during a late-night rainstorm. One of the passengers, Maria Theresa "Terry" O'Reilly, badgers him until he takes the stranded people back to town. However, he refuses Terry's persistent requests that he drive her to her destination, only a few miles away.


Jeff finds Dr. Glass, but has to wait, as the storm has made a bridge impassible. During that time, he and Terry become acquainted. He learns that she is going to see her brother "Dinkie". She has not seen him in many years, and he has refused to respond to her letters about an inheritance from their uncle. Jeff is shocked when he sees a photograph of her brother: Dinkie is Sonny. Terry is unaware of Sonny's criminal activity.
Jeff finds Dr. Glass, but has to wait because the storm has made a bridge impassible. During that time, he and Terry become acquainted. He learns that she is going to see her brother "Dinkie". She has not seen him in many years, and he has not responded to her letter about his inheritance from their uncle. Jeff is shocked when he sees a photograph of her brother: Dinkie is Sonny. Terry is unaware of Sonny's criminal activity.


When Jeff takes Dr. Glass to Sonny, Terry stows away in the car. She meets Sonny, and learns that he is the subject of a nationwide manhunt. However, family ties are strong, and she helps nurse him back to health. Later, when Sonny slaps Terry for persistently trying to persuade him to turn himself in, Jeff cannot control himself. He punches Sonny. Sonny angrily orders Jeff and Terry to leave, at gunpoint.
When Jeff takes Dr. Glass to Sonny, Terry stows away in the car. She meets Sonny, and learns that he is the subject of a nationwide manhunt. However, family ties are strong, and she helps nurse him back to health. Later, when Sonny slaps Terry for persistently trying to persuade him to turn himself in, Jeff cannot control himself. He punches Sonny. Sonny angrily orders Jeff and Terry to leave, at gunpoint.


Jeff's boss, Special Agent James Duff ([[Paul Kelly (actor)|Paul Kelly]]), had warned Jeff not to get involved with Terry. The whole operation seems to be ruined, so Duff fires Jeff.
Jeff's boss, Special Agent James Duff, had warned Jeff not to get involved with Terry. The whole operation seems to be derailed, so Duff fires Jeff.


However, Jeff has an idea. Knowing that the gang is planning to strike that day, he tricks Dr. Glass into taking him to their hideout, a [[Roadhouse (facility)|roadhouse]] named Little Paree. He notifies Duff, and a fierce gunfight ensues. All of the gang members are killed except Sonny, who escapes. A dying Dr. Glass confirms that Sonny was the boss.
However, Jeff has an idea. Knowing that the gang is planning to strike that day, he tricks Dr. Glass into taking him to their hideout, a [[Roadhouse (facility)|roadhouse]] named Little Paree. He notifies Duff, who arranges an ambush. A fierce gunfight ensues. All of the gang members are killed except Sonny, who escapes. A dying Dr. Glass confirms that Sonny was the boss.


Weeks go by, but Sonny eludes capture. A newspaper publishes photographs of Sonny and Jeff side by side—one captioned "Public Enemy No. 1", and the other "Public Hero No. 1". Duff and Jeff learn that Sonny has undergone [[plastic surgery]]. Knowing that he must be out of money, they have his sister watched at the vaudeville theater where she is the cashier. They also place an advertisement supposedly from Terry offering to help Dinkie. Sure enough, he approaches her for money and is spotted. Terry warns him, but he is gunned down in an alley by Jeff.
Weeks go by, but Sonny eludes capture. A newspaper publishes photographs of Sonny and Jeff side by side—one captioned "Public Enemy No. 1", and the other "Public Hero No. 1". Duff and Jeff learn that Sonny has undergone [[plastic surgery]]. Knowing that he must be short of money, they place an advertisement supposedly from Terry offering to provide Dinkie with money. His sister is placed under surveillance at the vaudeville theater where she is the cashier. Sure enough, he approaches her for money at the theater and is spotted. Terry warns him, but he is gunned down in an alley by Jeff.(Several critics have noted the similarity between Sonny's death scene and the killing of [[John Dillinger]] outside the [[Biograph Theater]] in Chicago.)<ref name="AFI" />


Afterwards, Terry wants nothing to do with her brother's killer. However, Jeff corners her on a train and they reconcile.
Afterwards, Terry wants nothing to do with her brother's killer. However, Jeff corners her on a train and they reconcile.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Lionel Barrymore]] as Doctor<ref name="AFI">{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/7319 |title=Public Hero No. 1 |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |access-date=2015-11-12}}</ref>
[[File:Public Hero No1 Trailer.webm|thumb|thumbtime=100|[[:File:Public Hero No1 Trailer.webm|''Public Hero No. 1'' trailer]] (1935)]]
* [[Jean Arthur]] as Maria Theresa "Terry" O'Reilly<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Lionel Barrymore]] as Dr. Josiah Glass<ref name="AFI">{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=7319 |title=Public Hero No. 1 |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |accessdate=2015-11-12}}</ref>
*[[Jean Arthur]] as Maria Theresa O'Reilly<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Chester Morris]] as Jeff Crane<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Chester Morris]] as Jeff Crane<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Joseph Calleia]] as "Dinkie" O'Reilly aka "Sonny" Black<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Joseph Calleia]] as Sonny Black<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Paul Kelly (actor)|Paul Kelly]] as Duff<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Paul Kelly (actor)|Paul Kelly]] as Duff<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Lewis Stone]] as Warden<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Lewis Stone]] as Warden Alcott<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Paul Hurst (actor)|Paul Hurst]] as Rufe Parker<ref name="AFI"/>
*[[Paul Hurst (actor)|Paul Hurst]] as Rufe Parker<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[George E. Stone]] as Butch<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[Sam Baker (actor)|Sam Baker]] as Mose
*[[George E. Stone]] as Butch<ref name="AFI"/>

{|class=wikitable
|+Uncredited (in order of appearance)
|-
|[[Selmer Jackson]]||Simpson - Member of prison board
|-
|[[Ed Brady (actor)|Ed Brady]]||Convict
|-
|[[John George (actor)|John George]]||Dwarf convict
|-
|[[Jonathan Hale]]||Member of prison board
|-
|[[Larry Wheat]]||Andrews - Member of prison board
|-
|[[William Worthington (actor)|William Worthington]]||Member of prison board
|-
|[[Frank Moran]]||Moran - Prison guard
|-
|[[John Kelly (actor)|John Kelly]]||Federal agent smuggling gun to prison
|-
|[[Lee Phelps]]||Tower guard with machine gun
|-
|[[Guy Edward Hearn]]||Police officer giving chase
|-
|[[Teru Shimada]]||Sam - Sonny's Japanese houseboy
|-
|[[Greta Meyer]]||Dr. Glass' German housekeeper
|-
|[[Walter Brennan]]||Farmer
|-
|[[James C. Morton]]||Roadhouse patron
|-
|[[Tammany Young]]||Roadhouse bartender
|-
|[[Dorothy Vernon (actress)|Dorothy Vernon]]||Restaurant patron
|-
|[[Brooks Benedict]]||Roadhouse bar patron
|-
|[[Al Hill (actor)|Al Hill]]||Al - Sonny's henchman
|-
|[[Stanley Price]]||Sonny's henchman
|-
|[[Jack Pennick]]||Bus Driver
|-
|[[Cora Sue Collins]]||Little girl on bus
|-
|[[Bert Roach]]||Bus passenger annoying Theresa
|-
|[[Russ Powell]]||MacGinnis - hotel bartender
|-
|[[Arthur Housman]]||Hotel bar drunk
|-
|[[Zeffie Tilbury]]||Deaf woman in hotel bar
|-
|[[Dick Elliott]]||Gas station attendant
|-
|[[Gladden James]]||Federal agent
|-
|[[William Irving (actor)|William Irving]]||Federal agent
|-
|[[Pat O'Malley (actor)|Pat O'Malley]]||Federal agent
|-
|[[Bert Moorhouse]]||Federal agent
|-
|[[James Flavin]]||Flavin, Federal agent
|-
|[[Billy Sullivan (actor)|Billy Sullivan]]||Federal agent
|-
|[[Frank Darien]]||Dr. Hale - plastic surgeon
|-
|[[Anderson Lawler]]||Higgins - Federal agent
|-
|[[Lillian Harmer]]||Mrs. Higgins
|-
|[[Helene Costello]]||Woman in vaudeville theater
|-
|[[Frank Rice (actor)|Frank Rice]]||Cab Driver
|-
|[[Lane Chandler]]||Train conductor in final scene
|-
|[[Carl Stockdale]]||Train conductor in final scene
|}


==Reception==
==Reception==
[[File:Public Hero No1 Trailer.webm|thumb|thumbtime=100|[[:File:Public Hero No1 Trailer.webm|''Public Hero No. 1'' trailer]] (1935)]]
''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' film critic [[Andre Sennwald]] called ''Public Hero No. 1'' "a rattling good show, equally effective in its snarling violence and in its humor",<ref>{{cite news |last=Sennwald |first=Andre |date=June 8, 1935|title=Movie Review: Public Hero No. 1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E02EFD6173FE23ABC4053DFB066838E629EDE |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location= |access-date=2015-11-10 }}</ref> and cited Joseph Calleia's portrayal of the gunman as one of the year's ten best male performances.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sennwald |first=Andre |date=January 5, 1936|title=Best Ten, More or Less |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06EFD91239E632A25756C0A9679C946794D6CF |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location= |access-date=2015-11-10 }}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Spectator]]'', [[Graham Greene]] described the film as "a conventional but exciting film" and gave specific praise for the acting skills of Chester Morris and Lionel Barrymore whom Greene suggested had given "one of the best performances of his career". Greene's only criticism for the film was that its romantic situation had "spoilt … the realistic subject of 'men on a job'".<ref>{{cite journal |last= Greene|first= Graham|authorlink= Graham Greene|date= 19 July 1935|title= Becky Sharp/Public Hero No. 1/Barcarole|url= |journal= [[The Spectator]]}} (reprinted in: {{cite book |editor1-last= John Russel|editor1-first= Taylor |date= 1980|title= The Pleasure Dome|url= |location= |publisher= |page= 8|isbn=0192812866}})</ref>
''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' film critic [[Andre Sennwald]] called ''Public Hero ﹟1'' "a rattling good show, equally effective in its snarling violence and in its humor",<ref>{{cite news |last=Sennwald |first=Andre |date=June 8, 1935|title=Movie Review: Public Hero No. 1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E02EFD6173FE23ABC4053DFB066838E629EDE |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2015-11-10 }}</ref> and cited Joseph Calleia's portrayal of the gunman as one of the year's ten best male performances.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sennwald |first=Andre |date=January 5, 1936|title=Best Ten, More or Less |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06EFD91239E632A25756C0A9679C946794D6CF |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2015-11-10 }}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Spectator]]'', [[Graham Greene]] described the film as "a conventional but exciting film" and gave specific praise for the acting skills of Chester Morris and Lionel Barrymore whom Greene suggested had given "one of the best performances of his career". Greene's only criticism for the film was that its romantic situation had "spoilt … the realistic subject of 'men on a job'".<ref>{{cite journal |last= Greene|first= Graham|author-link= Graham Greene|date= 19 July 1935|title= Becky Sharp/Public Hero No. 1/Barcarole|journal= [[The Spectator]]}} (reprinted in: {{cite book|editor-last= Taylor|editor-first= John Russell|editor-link= John Russell Taylor|date= 1980|title= The Pleasure Dome|url= https://archive.org/details/pleasuredomegrah00gree/page/8|page= [https://archive.org/details/pleasuredomegrah00gree/page/8 8]|isbn= 0192812866|url-access= registration}})</ref>


==Home media==
==Home media==
On October 13, 2015, ''Public Hero No. 1'' was released on Region 1 DVD (manufactured on demand) by the [[Warner Archive Collection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbshop.com/product/public+hero+number+1+%281935%29+%28mod%29+1000569561.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search |title=Public Hero Number 1 (1935) |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=WBshop.com |publisher=Warner Bros. |access-date=2015-11-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://shop.tcm.com/detail.php?p=920655 |title=Public Hero Number 1 (1935) |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=TCM Shop |publisher=Turner Classic Movies |access-date=2015-11-22}}</ref>
On October 13, 2015, ''Public Hero ﹟1'' was released on Region 1 DVD (manufactured on demand) by the [[Warner Archive Collection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbshop.com/product/public+hero+number+1+%281935%29+%28mod%29+1000569561.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search |title=Public Hero Number 1 (1935) |website=WBshop.com |publisher=Warner Bros. |access-date=2015-11-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://shop.tcm.com/detail.php?p=920655 |title=Public Hero Number 1 (1935) |website=TCM Shop |publisher=Turner Classic Movies |access-date=2015-11-22}}</ref>


==Remake==
==Remake==
''Public Hero No. 1'' was remade in 1941 as ''[[The Get-Away (1941 film)|The Get-Away]]'', starring [[Robert Sterling]], [[Dan Dailey]] and [[Donna Reed]]. [[Edward Buzzell]] directed the MGM film, which was produced by J. Walter Ruben, director of the original film.<ref name="AFI"/>
''Public Hero ﹟1'' was remade in 1941 as ''[[The Get-Away (1941 film)|The Get-Away]]'', starring [[Robert Sterling]], [[Dan Dailey]] and [[Donna Reed]]. [[Edward Buzzell]] directed the MGM film, which was produced by J. Walter Ruben, director of the original film.<ref name="AFI"/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Lionel Barrymore filmography]]
* [[Lionel Barrymore filmography]]


==References==
==References==
Line 68: Line 153:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0026895}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0026895}}
* {{Amg title|id=106863}}
* {{AllMovie title|id=106863}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=2383}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=2383}}
* {{AFI film|id=7319|title=Public Hero ﹟1}}
* [http://www.tvguide.com/movies/grand-exit/review/125005/ ''Public Hero ﹟1''] at ''[[TV Guide]]'' (a shortened and revised version of 1987 write-up originally published in ''[[The Motion Picture Guide]]'')
* [https://www.nyu.edu/projects/wke/notes/newschool/imagefiles/ns_850301.pdf Program note] by [[William K. Everson]] for his March 1, 1985 screening at [[The New School]]

{{J. Walter Ruben}}


[[Category:1935 films]]
[[Category:1935 films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:1930s romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1935 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1930s crime films]]
[[Category:1935 crime drama films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American crime drama films]]
[[Category:American crime films]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Prison films]]
[[Category:American prison films]]
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films set in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Films set in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Films about Jewish-American organized crime]]
[[Category:Films about Jewish-American organized crime]]
[[Category:The Purple Gang]]
[[Category:Films scored by Edward Ward (composer)]]
[[Category:Films directed by J. Walter Ruben]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:1930s American films]]
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]

Latest revision as of 04:46, 28 September 2024

Public Hero ﹟1
Directed byJ. Walter Ruben
Screenplay byWells Root
Based onStory by J. Walter Ruben
and Wells Root
Produced byLucien Hubbard
StarringLionel Barrymore
Jean Arthur
Chester Morris
Joseph Calleia
CinematographyGregg Toland, A.S.C.
Edited byFrank Sullivan
Music byEdward Ward
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's Inc.
Release date
  • May 31, 1935 (1935-05-31)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Public Hero ﹟1 is a 1935 American crime film starring Lionel Barrymore, Jean Arthur, Chester Morris and Joseph Calleia. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production was directed by J. Walter Ruben.

Plot

[edit]

Undercover FBI agent Jeff Crane is planted in the same prison as Sonny Black, who is suspected of belonging to the notorious Purple Gang. Jeff helps Sonny escape in the hope that he will lead Jeff to the rest of the gang.

Sonny is seriously wounded during the escape. Once the fugitives reach his home in central Wisconsin, he sends Jeff for Dr. Josiah Glass, an alcoholic who has saved the lives of many of the gang members. In his rush, Jeff forces a bus off the road during a late-night rainstorm. One of the passengers, Maria Theresa "Terry" O'Reilly, badgers him until he takes the stranded people back to town. However, he refuses Terry's persistent requests that he drive her to her destination, only a few miles away.

Jeff finds Dr. Glass, but has to wait because the storm has made a bridge impassible. During that time, he and Terry become acquainted. He learns that she is going to see her brother "Dinkie". She has not seen him in many years, and he has not responded to her letter about his inheritance from their uncle. Jeff is shocked when he sees a photograph of her brother: Dinkie is Sonny. Terry is unaware of Sonny's criminal activity.

When Jeff takes Dr. Glass to Sonny, Terry stows away in the car. She meets Sonny, and learns that he is the subject of a nationwide manhunt. However, family ties are strong, and she helps nurse him back to health. Later, when Sonny slaps Terry for persistently trying to persuade him to turn himself in, Jeff cannot control himself. He punches Sonny. Sonny angrily orders Jeff and Terry to leave, at gunpoint.

Jeff's boss, Special Agent James Duff, had warned Jeff not to get involved with Terry. The whole operation seems to be derailed, so Duff fires Jeff.

However, Jeff has an idea. Knowing that the gang is planning to strike that day, he tricks Dr. Glass into taking him to their hideout, a roadhouse named Little Paree. He notifies Duff, who arranges an ambush. A fierce gunfight ensues. All of the gang members are killed except Sonny, who escapes. A dying Dr. Glass confirms that Sonny was the boss.

Weeks go by, but Sonny eludes capture. A newspaper publishes photographs of Sonny and Jeff side by side—one captioned "Public Enemy No. 1", and the other "Public Hero No. 1". Duff and Jeff learn that Sonny has undergone plastic surgery. Knowing that he must be short of money, they place an advertisement supposedly from Terry offering to provide Dinkie with money. His sister is placed under surveillance at the vaudeville theater where she is the cashier. Sure enough, he approaches her for money at the theater and is spotted. Terry warns him, but he is gunned down in an alley by Jeff.(Several critics have noted the similarity between Sonny's death scene and the killing of John Dillinger outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago.)[1]

Afterwards, Terry wants nothing to do with her brother's killer. However, Jeff corners her on a train and they reconcile.

Cast

[edit]
Uncredited (in order of appearance)
Selmer Jackson Simpson - Member of prison board
Ed Brady Convict
John George Dwarf convict
Jonathan Hale Member of prison board
Larry Wheat Andrews - Member of prison board
William Worthington Member of prison board
Frank Moran Moran - Prison guard
John Kelly Federal agent smuggling gun to prison
Lee Phelps Tower guard with machine gun
Guy Edward Hearn Police officer giving chase
Teru Shimada Sam - Sonny's Japanese houseboy
Greta Meyer Dr. Glass' German housekeeper
Walter Brennan Farmer
James C. Morton Roadhouse patron
Tammany Young Roadhouse bartender
Dorothy Vernon Restaurant patron
Brooks Benedict Roadhouse bar patron
Al Hill Al - Sonny's henchman
Stanley Price Sonny's henchman
Jack Pennick Bus Driver
Cora Sue Collins Little girl on bus
Bert Roach Bus passenger annoying Theresa
Russ Powell MacGinnis - hotel bartender
Arthur Housman Hotel bar drunk
Zeffie Tilbury Deaf woman in hotel bar
Dick Elliott Gas station attendant
Gladden James Federal agent
William Irving Federal agent
Pat O'Malley Federal agent
Bert Moorhouse Federal agent
James Flavin Flavin, Federal agent
Billy Sullivan Federal agent
Frank Darien Dr. Hale - plastic surgeon
Anderson Lawler Higgins - Federal agent
Lillian Harmer Mrs. Higgins
Helene Costello Woman in vaudeville theater
Frank Rice Cab Driver
Lane Chandler Train conductor in final scene
Carl Stockdale Train conductor in final scene

Reception

[edit]
Public Hero No. 1 trailer (1935)

New York Times film critic Andre Sennwald called Public Hero ﹟1 "a rattling good show, equally effective in its snarling violence and in its humor",[2] and cited Joseph Calleia's portrayal of the gunman as one of the year's ten best male performances.[3] Writing for The Spectator, Graham Greene described the film as "a conventional but exciting film" and gave specific praise for the acting skills of Chester Morris and Lionel Barrymore whom Greene suggested had given "one of the best performances of his career". Greene's only criticism for the film was that its romantic situation had "spoilt … the realistic subject of 'men on a job'".[4]

Home media

[edit]

On October 13, 2015, Public Hero ﹟1 was released on Region 1 DVD (manufactured on demand) by the Warner Archive Collection.[5][6]

Remake

[edit]

Public Hero ﹟1 was remade in 1941 as The Get-Away, starring Robert Sterling, Dan Dailey and Donna Reed. Edward Buzzell directed the MGM film, which was produced by J. Walter Ruben, director of the original film.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Public Hero No. 1". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved 2015-11-12.
  2. ^ Sennwald, Andre (June 8, 1935). "Movie Review: Public Hero No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  3. ^ Sennwald, Andre (January 5, 1936). "Best Ten, More or Less". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  4. ^ Greene, Graham (19 July 1935). "Becky Sharp/Public Hero No. 1/Barcarole". The Spectator. (reprinted in: Taylor, John Russell, ed. (1980). The Pleasure Dome. p. 8. ISBN 0192812866.)
  5. ^ "Public Hero Number 1 (1935)". WBshop.com. Warner Bros. Retrieved 2015-11-22.
  6. ^ "Public Hero Number 1 (1935)". TCM Shop. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2015-11-22.
[edit]
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