The Doorway to Hell (1930)
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- Passed
- 1h 18min
- Crime, Drama
- 18 Oct 1930 (USA)
- Movie
Despite his efforts to go straight, a young gangster keeps falling back into crime.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Award:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Lew Ayres | ... |
Louie Ricarno
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| Dorothy Mathews | ... |
Doris Ricarno
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| Leon Janney | ... |
Jackie Ricarno
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| Robert Elliott | ... |
Police Chief Pat O'Grady
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| James Cagney | ... |
Steve Mileaway
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| Kenneth Thomson | ... |
Captain of Academy
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Jerry Mandy | ... |
Joe - Gangster
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| Noel Madison | ... |
Rocco
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| Edwin Argus | ... |
Midget
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| Eddie Kane | ... |
Dr. Morton
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| Tom Wilson | ... |
Big Shot Kelly - Gangster
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| Dwight Frye | ... |
Monk - Gangster
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Charles Judels | ... |
Florist (scenesDeleted)
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Fred Argus | ... |
Machine Gunner (uncredited)
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| Marie Astaire | ... |
Kitty - Fortune Teller (uncredited)
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Elmer Ballard | ... |
Tommy - Louie's Chauffeur (uncredited)
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Joe Bordeaux | ... |
Joe - a Gangster (uncredited)
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Clark Burroughs | ... |
Nigger Mike (uncredited)
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Nick Copeland | ... |
The Midget's Henchman (uncredited)
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| Bernard Granville | ... |
Dr. J.W. Johnson - Plastic Surgeon (uncredited)
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| Ruth Hall | ... |
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
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| Eddie Hart | ... |
Tansey (uncredited)
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| Al Hill | ... |
Jimmy Kirk - Gangster (uncredited)
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| Thomas E. Jackson | ... |
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
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| John Kelly | ... |
Whitey Eckhart (uncredited)
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Gus Leonard | ... |
Shop Owner (uncredited)
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Larry McGrath | ... |
Detective (uncredited)
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Collette Merton | ... |
Jane (uncredited)
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Eddie Moran | ... |
Hymie - a Gangster (uncredited)
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| George Rosener | ... |
Slick (uncredited)
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Cliff Saum | ... |
Poolroom Proprietor (uncredited)
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Tony Stabenau | ... |
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
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Jack Wise | ... |
Delivery Waiter (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Archie Mayo | ||
Written by
| Rowland Brown | ... | (story "A Handful of Clouds") |
| George Rosener | ... | (screen play) |
| George Rosener | ... | (dialogue) |
Produced by
| Darryl F. Zanuck | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Barney McGill | ... | (photography) |
Editing by
| Robert O. Crandall | ... | (edited by) (as Robert Crandall) |
Costume Design by
| Earl Luick | ... | (costumes by) |
Makeup Department
| Perc Westmore | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Charles David Forrest | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Erno Rapee | ... | general musical director |
| Louis Silvers | ... | conductor: Vitaphone Orchestra |
| Leo F. Forbstein | ... | musical director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Warner Bros. (present)
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1930) (United States) (theatrical)
- Vitagraph Limited (1930) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Warner Brothers Pictures (1931) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Brothers First National Films (1931) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Associated Artists Productions (AAP) (1956) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Bros. Television (2001) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- Warner Home Video (2012) (United States) (DVD) (dvdr)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Lou Ricarno is a smart guy. His plan is to organize the various gangs in Chicago so that the mugs will not liquidate each other. WIth the success of his leadership, Louie prospers, marries Doris and retires to Florida to write his autobiography and play golf. In his absence the gang warfare flares, but he does not return as he wants to give a respectable image of life to his wife, younger brother and his Florida neighbors. While letters and telegrams from Mileaway will not influence his decision, events will.
Written by Tony Fontana |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Inside you see the terrors of organized crime - the land of cross and double-cross - where the best you can get is the worst of it! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $240,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | No information about the publication of Rowland Brown's story, "A Handful of Clouds," has been found. The story may not have been published. See more » |
| Goofs | What appears to be a typo in the gangland slaughter headline of the newspaper Louie reads in the boarding house - it reads 'grewsome' instead of 'gruesome' - is in fact an acceptable variant that was more popular at the time the film was released. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story - Part 1 (2008). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Taps See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The opening scene shows a newspaper printing press in motion and then presents the opening credits like a real newspaper advertisement. See more » |
| Quotes |
Title Card:
[closing title]
The "Doorway to Hell" is a one-way door. There is no retribution - no plea for further clemency. The little boy walked through it with his head up and a smile on his lips. They gave him a funeral - a swell funeral that stopped traffic - and then they forgot him before the roses had a chance to wilt. See more » |