Public Enemies
Cast & Crew
Albert S. Rogell
Phillip Terry
Wendy Barrie
Edgar Kennedy
William Frawley
Marc Lawrence
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Heiress Bonnie Parker, tired of newspaper stories about her society high-life, gives a false story to energetic reporter Bill Raymond, who has frequently pestered her for a scoop. The phony item results in Bill's dismissal, however, and Bonnie realizes that she carried the prank too far. Wanting to make amends, Bonnie searches for a story for Bill that will put him back into the good graces of his former editor at the New York Bulletin . She becomes acquainted with informant Scats Masters, who offers to sell Bill documents that will incriminate a ring of criminals who have been smuggling illegal aliens into the United States. Lawrence Tregar, the gang's secret leader, is determined to stop Scats, however, and his men succeed in scaring Scats into hiding. The men also chase Bill and Bonnie, and during their adventure, Bonnie falls in love with Bill. Bill's pride prevents him from marrying a wealthy woman, and so, the following morning, Bonnie is delighted to learn that she has lost most of her money. Bill is suspicious of Bonnie's claim and is arguing with her when he receives word that Scats is hiding in Bill's suburban home. Eager to get the documents, Bill races to the house, only to discover that Scats has been killed by Tregar's men. Scats hid the papers in Bill's washing machine before dying, but neither Tregar nor Bill is aware of this. Believing that Bill is now in possession of the incriminating evidence, Tregar kidnaps Bonnie and demands the papers as ransom. Bill pretends to acquiesce, but actually arranges for the police to follow him to the gang's hideout, where the exchange is to occur. At the appointed time, Bill is picked up by two of Tregar's men, and they are shadowed by a group of newsboys, who report the car's progress to the police. With the help of his friends, ex-boxers George "Bang" Carson and Biff, Bill engages the gang in a brawl, which is ended by the arrival of the police. Soon the criminals are all rounded up, and Bill escorts Bonnie to safety. Bonnie's aunt Emma finds the documents, which enable Bill to regain his job, and with his pride intact, Bill then proposes to Bonnie.
Director
Albert S. Rogell
Cast
Phillip Terry
Wendy Barrie
Edgar Kennedy
William Frawley
Marc Lawrence
Nana Bryant
Willie Fung
Paul Fix
Russell Hicks
Tim Ryan
Duke York
Ken Lundy
Peter Leeds
Cy Ring
Eddie Fetherston
Francis Sayles
Guy Usher
Lee Phelps
James C. Morton
Dick Rush
Charles Mcavoy
Rod Bacon
Pat Gleason
Dick Paxton
Chuck Morrison
Jack Kenney
Harry Holman
Frank Richards
Sammy Stein
Francis Pierlot
Jerry Jerome
Wally Albright
Bobby Stone
Sammy Mckim
Robert Winkler
Douglas Deems
Larry Harris
Sam Bernard
Eddy Waller
Arthur Housman
Crew
Michael Burke
Cy Feuer
Lawrence Kimble
Edward T. Lowe
John Victor Mackay
Edward Mann
Ernest Miller
Robert North
Adele Palmer
Murray Seldeen
George Webster
Al Wilson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Newspapermen Are Human. Hollywood Reporter news items list Michael Fessier as the author of the original screen story, but only Michael Burke is listed in the onscreen credits. It is possible that Fessier used "Burke" as a pseudonym. Hollywood Reporter news items also noted that George Arthur was originally set as the film's producer, and William Morgan was scheduled to direct. Phillip Terry was borrowed from Paramount for the production. A September 5, 1941 Hollywood Reporter production chart erroneously lists Charles Craft as the film's editor.
