The Original Gangster, 'The Public Enemy' (1931)

The Original Gangster, 'The Public Enemy' (1931)

Author: Greg Titian & Meredith Ambelang May 20, 2025 Duration: 1:33:50
We have spent nearly a century trying to make another gangster movie this good and some could argue we haven't done it yet. Being released before the Hay's code allows this movie to really speak it's mind and it does. With its loud commentary about the state of the US, strong female characters, sex, openly gay characters and nuance this movie is the perfect reminder of what the code took from us. It's a cliche for a reason, they don't make them like they used to. THE HAYS CODE:  The "Don'ts" (Absolutely Forbidden) Profanity, including "God," "Jesus," or "hell" used irreverently. Nudity, in any form (including silhouettes). Illegal drug use. Sexual perversion (code word for homosexuality, fetishism, etc.). White slavery (human trafficking, especially of white women). Miscegenation (interracial romantic or sexual relationships). Scenes of childbirth, in fact or in silhouette Ridicule of clergy. Willful offense to any nation, race, or creed. The "Be Carefuls" (Sensitive Topics Requiring Caution) Use of firearms. Theft, robbery, and safe-cracking. Brutality and gruesomeness. Techniques of murder. Sympathy for criminals or crime success Adultery, if presented sympathetically or explicitly. Seduction. Sexual relationships outside of marriage. Excessive kissing or lustful embraces. Drunkenness, especially if humorous or sympathetic. Use of liquor in the presence of children. Mocking the law or law enforcement. Revenge in modern times as a moral justification. Surgical operations, unless essential to the plot. Cruelty to animals. Apparent cruelty to children. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Midnight Local and Pre-Code Cinema 06:01 The Evolution of Film Acting and Cagney's Influence 11:58 Character Development: Tom Powers and His Journey 18:00 Prohibition Era and Its Influence on the Film's Narrative 23:57 Censorship and Its Impact on Film and Society 30:03 Character Development and Censorship in Film 32:44 The Rise of Cagney and Blondell 37:05 Iconic Scenes and Their Backstories 40:39 War and Morality in Cinema 49:13 The Introduction of Jean Harlow 57:18 The Impact of Realism in Film 01:00:26 Buster Keaton and Physical Comedy 01:09:00 The Evolution of Gangster Films 01:25:29 The Legacy of James Cagney and Film History Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midnight Local is where the formal workday ends and the real, rambling conversations begin. Hosts Greg Titian and Meredith Ambelang, the creative forces behind the YouTube series How to Drink, know all about crafting content within the confines of a studio. This podcast is what happens after the cameras stop rolling. It’s the unfiltered, often hilarious, and deeply nerdy dialogue that bubbles up when two people who live and breathe pop culture-specifically TV, film, and history-are finally off the clock. Imagine pausing a movie because a thought about a director’s earlier work, a historical inaccuracy, or a bizarre piece of trivia simply cannot wait for the credits. That’s the energy here. Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a late-night chat between friends who are equally passionate and knowledgeable, where the structure of a typical show is willingly abandoned for a more interesting detour. You’ll hear the tangents, the debates, and the unexpected connections between a classic film and a modern series, all fueled by years of working together in creative chaos. Tune into this podcast for a companionable dive into the stories behind the stories, where the analysis is as entertaining as the media itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 60

Midnight Local
Podcast Episodes
Nerd and Newbie debate Dungeons & Dragons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:15
One of us is a massive D&D fan, can you guess which one? In this episode of Midnight Local we are talking about Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves, the pros and cons of movie franchises, domestic life and what t…
Eat The Rich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:47
Does The Menu and Triangle of Sadness, two "eat the rich" movies that came out last year, stand out in the long history of eat-the-rich movies? With other recent movies like Parasite and Knives Out or older movies like S…
Sequels are hard, Glass Onion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:35
Greg and Mere discuss if the star-studded Knives Out sequel Glass Onion lives up to the original. We also play a game to see which napkin inventions pass the bull shit test. More about the show: Twitch: http://bit.ly/2Vs…
Actually talking about Barbarian...mostly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:19
WE DID IT! We spent a good proportion of this episode talking about the movie we intended to talk about. But we also touch on the history of the word Barbarian, film school, and read some movie reviews from twitter. More…
We try to talk about Barbarian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:54
We split this episode into 2 parts because we got pretty off topic talking about how impossible Greg is to please when it comes to movies, 90's stranger danger PSAs and other booze infused revelations. In this episode of…
The Goonies, did this movie create PG-13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:06
West coast pirates, 80s babes, the creation of PG-13 and all the other brick-a-brac. In this episode of Midnight Local we are talking about one of the best (maybe THE best?) coming of age movies of all time, The Goonies.…
Is it okay to laugh at this?,  Waiting for Guffman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Improvisation, small town theater, the questionable humor of the 90s and learning to not think. Must be another Monday on Midnight Local. In this episode we are talking about Christopher Guest's Waiting for Guffman. More…
The Perfect Zombies, Return of the Living Dead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:32
Zombies that can't be killed, government that can't be trusted, burlesque grandmas and one of the most legendary rifts in horror movie history? Must be another Monday on Midnight Local. In this episode we are talking abo…
Introducing: Midnight Local [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21
When you spend all day in a studio shooting a YouTube series about drinking, things can run off the rails in a hurry, and carefully managing that chaos is vital if you’re going to make a show like How to Drink, and that’…