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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1115

The Doorway to Hell

193078 minUnited States
DramaCrime
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
English
This copy runs
77:38
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Archie Mayo for Warner Bros. · Public domain

Synopsis

Young gangster Louie Ricarno brings Chicago's rival groups under a profitable arrangement enforced by violence. Hoping to protect his younger brother and enjoy married life, he then tries to leave the organization behind. His associates, rivals and personal loyalties make retirement harder than taking power.

Cast

DirectorsArchie Mayo

Historical context

Lew Ayres plays the underworld leader, with James Cagney in an early supporting role. The film's organized rackets and threatened escape from criminal life anticipate concerns that would become familiar in the gangster cycle.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

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