The Public Enemy (1931)

This film, yet again reinforces the premise that Warner Bros. in the 1930’s were pushing for strong films that highlighted “an image of a struggling America”, economically speaking (Yogerst, 1). One can note the consistent theme throughout the film, as our protagonist is torn between what he desires and what he feels he needs to do. The economic desperation showcased in the film is ripe for the audience to dissect decades later. Furthermore, one can note the treatment of women, moreover, how men who are placed in dire circumstances subsequently view women. The iconic grapefruit scene is the clearest possible example to highlight this. You and I can clearly bare witness to an abusive and dismissive protagonist in this scene. This framing of a central character further distinguished Warner Bros. from other production companies as it showed a flawed, charismatic, and most importantly for the audience, a memorable character.