The Doorway to Hell
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Doorway to Hell |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1930 |
| length | 78 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Archie Mayo |
| script | George Rosener |
| production | Darryl F. Zanuck |
| music | Erno Rapee |
| camera | Barney McGill |
| cut | Robert O. Crandall |
| occupation | |
| |
The Doorway to Hell is an American crime film from 1930. The screenplay is based on the story A Handful of Clouds by Rowland Brown.
action
Young and attractive Louie Ricarno is a gang leader in Chicago. Police Captain Pat O'Grady interrogates him in connection with a gang murder. Ricarno rejects O'Grady's proposals to abandon the ripoffs. A short time later, Ricarno is the head of the Chicago underworld. He divides the city into territories and receives money from the various gangs for his protection.
Some time later, Ricarno falls in love with Doris, who is, however, with his deputy Steve Mileaway. But Doris accepts Ricarno's marriage proposal, who then breaks away from his organization. He wants to move to Florida and write his autobiography there. On the way to Florida Ricarno introduces his wife to his brother Jackie, who is attending a military school under the name Locarno. Ricarno is working on his memoirs in Florida and is learning to play golf on the side. Doris begins to get bored. She longs for the exciting life in Chicago.
In Chicago, meanwhile, the situation has changed. A gang war has broken out and Mileaway sees itself unable to end the war. RIcarno refuses to go back and put things in order. The gangsters Midget and Rocco kidnap Jackie to force Ricarno to return. Jackie is killed trying to escape when he is run over by a truck. Ricarno is shaken and returns to Chicago full of revenge. Doris starts a secret affair with Mileaway.
Two of Jackie's friends identify the kidnappers. Captain O'Grady now knows who orchestrated the kidnapping. He warns Ricarno not to take action, but he has Midget and Rocco killed. O'Grady arrests Ricarno and interrogates Mileaway. O'Grady confronts Mileaway that he knows about the affair with Doris. Mileaway is forced to admit to having killed Mitdet in self-defense. With the confession he can keep the affair a secret and get Ricarno out of prison. But Ricarno is also charged with another murder. Ricarno escapes from prison and, with the help of his chauffeur Tommy, is able to escape the police and his rivals.
Some time later, Ricarno is restless. He was hiding in a boarding house. O'Grady goes to him and tells him to surrender. His rivals are on his trail and would murder him instantly. When O'Grady leaves, a waiter brings food that he didn't order. Ricarno thus knows that his enemies have found him. He is looking at a picture of Napoleon Bonaparte with whom he has always identified. He puts on his coat and hat and goes out with his head held high.
criticism
Michel W. Philips Jr. from the Internet portal "Goatdog's Movies" considers the film to be interesting in view of the development of the later gangster films. He also provides clues to the later star status of James Cagney. And he is an example of wrong decisions in the cast.
Awards
In 1931 Rowland Brown was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Story.
background
The world premiere took place on October 18, 1930.
Ward Bond can be seen in a minor supporting role as a police officer. Screenwriter George Rosener also made an appearance as a stick. James Cagney stood in front of a film camera for the second time.
The original story, for which Rowland Brown was Oscar nominated, was never published.
Web links
- The Doorway to Hell in the Internet Movie Database (English)