White Heat (Movie)

James Cagney : Arthur ‘Cody’ Jarrett
Virginia Mayo : Verna Jarrett
Edmond O’Brien : Vic Pardo/Hank Fallon
Margaret Wycherly : Ma Jarrett
Directed by Raoul Walsh

White Heat is one of those rare old movies that actually lives up to the hype. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard great things about an old movie but when I finally get to see it, I end up disappointed. This isn’t the case with White Heat however; it’s just as good as everyone says it is.

The story is about a psychopath, tough as nails gangster, Cody Jarrett, who has a weird, child-like attachment to his mother. Jarrett thinks nothing of robbing trains, stealing payrolls and killing people, but when times get tough, he needs the love and encouragement of his mom.

The story begins with Jarrett and the boys staging a train robbery during which Jarrett brutally kills the train engineers. During the heist, one of the gang members is seriously injured and his later death gives the Feds the ability to link the train robbery back to Jarrett. Jarrett sensing that the Feds now have the evidence needed to put him in prison for a long time confesses to another crime that he did not commit, but which serves as a alibi that prevents him from being implicated in the train robbery.

Jarrett later escapes from prison, and goes on to plan and execute a payroll heist that ends the movie with a spectacular finish.

The movie is much more involved but I’ve left out a lot of details so as not to spoil the movie for you.

James Cagney does a masterful job playing Arthur ‘Cody’ Jarrett. He mixes brutality, insanity and charisma in just the right proportions. I know of Cagney mostly through the various impressions I’ve seen done of him over the years and although the impressions are pretty much spot on and comical, when he does the act he is totally believable.

Another great performance comes from Margaret Wycherly who plays Cody’s mom, Ma Jarrett. She comes across as a cold, calculating evil women who totally loves her son and wants what’s best for him. Unfortunately her view of what’s best for him involves robbery and murder.

Virginia Mayo also does a fine job playing Cody’s cheating wife Verna. She’s a self-absorbed glamour girl, who gives no indication of being in love with Cody but hangs around to reap the rewards that result from a life of crime.

This movie is filled with memorable scenes and tag lines and for these alone it is worth the price of admission. The DVD is currently available for under $20 dollars but if your willing to wait you might be able to catch it on Turner Classic Movies as I did.

“Top of the world, Ma!”

Highly recommended.

10 out of 10 Stars

Posted by Al on 01/11/10 at 06:29 PM in Movies