"the-public-enemy"

Over a period of fifteen months from the beginning of 1931, the Warner Brothers studio released three bona-fide gangster classics: “Little Caesar,” “The Public Enemy,” and “Scarface: The Shame Of A Nation.” All three movies made stars out of their leading men in the still fledgling sound era: Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, and Paul Mu

A few months ago, I was watching a flavorful early Cagney entry called “Taxi!” (1932), and in one early scene, witnessed the diminutive but feisty actor of Irish/Norwegian stock speaking Yiddish…not one or two words, mind you, but whole sentences. And I thought to myself — yet another reason to love Jimmy Cagney.

A blonde bombshell before Marilyn? You bet. Her name was Jean Harlow, and in my estimation, she appeared in more great pictures than Monroe, while spending even less time on the planet.

Over the course of movie history, there have been the great actresses, women who light up the screen with charisma and character, like Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, and Meryl Streep. There have also been women whose special gifts had more to do with the sexual allure they projected. Hey fellas, you must have noticed them, right? Brace yourselves then- here are our picks for the top twenty female cinematic sex symbols of all time. (Drum roll). 

Seeing the latest version of “A Star is Born” at the newly renovated Bedford Playhouse reminded me of the sheer impact of a great film experienced under the best possible conditions.