White Heat (1949)

A psychotic criminal named Cody Jarrett (James Cagney), who's also a mama's boy, and his gang rob a mail train, killing four people during the robbery. In a devious plan, he confesses to another robbery that will get him only a couple of years in jail rather than the gas chamber. But he doesn't count on his slutty wife (Virginia Mayo) and her lover (Steve Cochran), a member of Cody's gang, who have plans of their own. Directed by Raoul Walsh (HIGH SIERRA), this is one of the best gangster movies to come out of Hollywood. The film was a critical and box office hit and helped push Cagney's career back on top (he left Warners after YANKEE DOODLE DANDY). Between 1943 and 1948, he had only movie (13 RUE MADELEINE) that made money, all his other movies flopped. He returned to Warners for WHITE HEAT but it was on his terms. The film is justifiably considered a classic in its genre (gangster or film noir depending on your point of view). Cagney is sensational, it's one of his 2 or 3 best performances. Mayo is terrific as his money hungry unfaithful wife, she was always at her best playing unsavory tramps and Margaret Wycherly as Cagney's mother is excellent. The fiery finale with its "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" is iconic. With Edmond O'Brien, John Archer, Fred Clark and Aline Towne.