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White Heat (1949)

Not Rated   |    |  Action, Crime, Drama

White Heat (1949) Poster

A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist.

8.1/10
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  • White Heat (1949)
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  • White Heat (1949)
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Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
17 December 2005 | ccthemovieman-1
10
| Who But Cagney Could Pull This Off?
If you like James Cagney and you like the film noirs of the late 1940s, well, it doesn't get much better than this.

Cagney, who was always great at playing wild gangsters, makes this film interesting all the way through its two hours. Despite being a half-century old, he was still not far from being at the top of his game. His character, Cody Jarrett, is one of the most famous of the many he portrayed on film, which is saying a lot.

Who could sit on his mother's lap and still look like a tough guy? Not many, but Cagney pulled it off here with his tough mama, played really well by Margaret Wycherly. This was a new type of role for Wycherly, who was used to doing Shakespeare. You wouldn't know it from this "Ma Jarrett" role!

The "hoods" in here are all realistic tough guys and gals. Cagney's two-faced wife is played well by Virginia Mayo, who plays the typical (for this genre) floozy blonde whom you can trust about as far as you can throw.

The final scene - "Top Of World, Ma!" - is one of the most famous in all of film history. It's nice to see a nice print of this out on DVD now and some of the features are very informative. Included is an interview with Mayo, who still looks pretty good for an old lady!

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The car the gang uses for the train robbery at the beginning of the film is a 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood 75. Ma Jarrett, after buying strawberries, eludes the police in a 1941 Buick Special.

Quotes

Cody Jarrett: They've got Zuckie in a morgue upstate! The T have tied him with us and the tunnel job.
Verna Jarrett: What?
Cody Jarrett: Yeah. All is hot as pistols!

Goofs

In the shot looking toward the ceiling of the prison machine shop, showing the piece of equipment Parker plans to drop on Jarrett supposedly dangling directly over Jarrett's head, it is clear that the object is in fact well to the right of Jarrett (from his perspective), undoubtedly a precaution by the filmmakers so that it would not accidentally fall and hit actor James Cagney (Jarrett).

Alternate Versions

Also Available in a Colorized Version.

Soundtracks

Five O'Clock Whistle
(1940) (uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow, Kim Gannon & Gene Irwin
Played on a radio

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Action | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

Details

Release Date:

3 September 1949

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

198th Street and Figueroa, Torrance, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,300,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,534

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