White Heat Movie Review 1949

A classic gangster film with one of Cagney's best roles as a psychopathic robber/killer with a mother complex. The famous finale--perhaps Cagney's best-known scene--has Cagney trapped on top of a burning oil tank shouting "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" before the tank explodes. Cagney's character is allegedly based on Arthur "Doc" Barker and his "Ma," and his portrayal is breathtaking. Also available colorized.

Distribution

CBS/Fox Video, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Phone: (212)373-4800, Toll-free: 800-800-4369, Fax: (212)373-4803, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 114 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Psychotics/Sociopaths, Organized Crime, Film Noir, Sanity Check, At the Movies

Screenplay

Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts

Cast

James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien, Margaret Wycherly, Steve Cochran, John Archer, Wally Cassell

Cinematography

Sid Hickox

Director

Raoul Walsh

Music

Max Steiner

Producer

Warner Bros.

Awards

Natl. Film Reg. 2003.