Page "The Public Enemy" Paragraph 40

In the scene where Mike Powers punches his brother Tom, director Wellman privately took Donald Cook aside and, explaining his desire for authenticity in " Tom's " reaction, asked the actor to really hit Cagney.

Cook played his part a bit too well, and he struck Cagney in the mouth with such force, he actually broke one of Cagney's teeth.

Yet in spite of his genuine shock and pain, Cagney stayed in character and played out the rest of the scene.

In another incident, live ammunition was used in a scene where Tom Powers ducks around the corner of a building to take cover from machine gun fire ; the use of live ammunition was common practice at the time.

The bullets struck the wall of the building at the position where Cagney's head had been just a moment prior.