White Heat Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Momma’s boy gangster robs a chemical plant and then explodes, because why not?

🍿 White Heat: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Train Robbery

Cody Jarrett, a volatile and ruthless criminal, leads his gang in a daring train robbery. The heist turns violent, resulting in multiple deaths and setting the stage for a relentless pursuit by law enforcement. Jarrett’s violent tendencies and close relationship with his mother, Ma Jarrett, are immediately established.

Taking the Fall and Prison Infiltration

To evade capture for the train robbery, Jarrett takes the blame for a lesser crime, landing him in prison. Federal agent Hank Fallon, posing as inmate Vic Pardo, is sent undercover to infiltrate Jarrett’s inner circle. Fallon’s mission is to gain Jarrett’s trust and uncover the location of the stolen loot and Jarrett’s network.

Betrayal and Escape

While in prison, Jarrett faces betrayal from within his own gang. Big Ed, vying for control, orchestrates an attempt on Jarrett’s life. Meanwhile, Fallon becomes increasingly entangled in Jarrett’s world, saving his life and earning his trust. When Jarrett learns of his mother’s death, he goes berserk and engineers a daring escape with Fallon.

The Chemical Plant Heist

After escaping prison, Jarrett plans a major payroll heist at a chemical plant. The gang uses a gas truck as a Trojan horse to infiltrate the facility. However, Fallon’s true identity is revealed, leading to a tense standoff with law enforcement. The heist unravels as Jarrett’s world crumbles around him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cody Jarrett (James Cagney): The psychopathic and volatile leader of a ruthless gang, fiercely devoted to his mother and prone to violent outbursts and debilitating headaches.
• Ma Jarrett (Margaret Wycherly): Cody’s manipulative and protective mother, who is also his confidante and partner in crime.
• Hank Fallon aka Vic Pardo (Edmond O’Brien): An undercover cop who infiltrates Cody’s gang by befriending him in prison, ultimately leading to Cody’s downfall.
• Verna Jarrett (Virginia Mayo): Cody’s unfaithful and treacherous wife, who seeks her own advantage and is involved in the betrayal of Ma Jarrett.
• Big Ed Somers (Steve Cochran): Cody’s ambitious right-hand man who plots to take over the gang and has an affair with Cody’s wife.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cody Jarrett: “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” – Cody shouts this triumphantly as he blows up the chemical plant, a moment of madness and defiance.
• Cody Jarrett: “I told you to keep away from that radio. If that battery is dead, it’ll have company.” – Cody threatens his wife, Verna, showcasing his volatile and controlling nature.
• Cody Jarrett: “Stuffy, huh? I’ll give ya a little air!” – Cody says this just before shooting a snitch locked in a car trunk.
• Ma Jarrett: “Any time I can’t handle his kind, I’ll know I’m getting old.” – Ma Jarrett shows her toughness and confidence when dismissing Big Ed.
• Cody Jarrett: “He’s dead! And he’s not gonna get up again, not even for Ma!” – Shouted in a fit of rage while in the prison mess hall after learning about his mother’s death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.3M
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $5.53K

💥 White Heat Reviews

Personal Review

This movie is explosive! Cagney’s performance is absolutely mesmerizing; you can’t take your eyes off him. The film’s dark atmosphere really sucked me in. The prison scene where he finds out about his mother – unforgettable! It’s a must-see for any crime movie fan.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “James Cagney enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with psychological elements”
  • “Those who appreciate films with iconic endings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Themes of psychopathy and mental instability”
  • “Criminal behavior”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Bosley Crowther called it ‘the acme of the gangster-prison film’ and praised its thermal intensity.
• Filmsite.org: “Tim Dirks writes that the film may have also inspired many other successful films.
• AllMovie: “Raoul Walsh’s direction is intense and the performances are uniformly excellent, especially Cagney’s, cementing ‘White Heat’ as a classic crime film.

Audience Reactions

Cagney’s raw and unhinged performance is electrifying.: Viewers praise Cagney’s maniacal portrayal of Cody Jarrett and the film’s intense and unforgettable climax.

The complex mother-son relationship is both disturbing and captivating.: Many reviewers admire the movie’s exploration of Cody Jarrett’s psychopathology, particularly his Oedipal complex.

Overall Consensus: White Heat is a highly regarded film noir and gangster classic, with viewers consistently praising James Cagney’s performance and the film’s intensity.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The character of Cody Jarrett was loosely based on real-life New York murderer Francis Crowley, who was executed in 1932.”
• “James Cagney initially resisted returning to the gangster genre, but the script and Raoul Walsh’s direction convinced him.”
• “The famous prison cafeteria scene where Cody learns of his mother’s death was largely improvised by Cagney, adding to its raw intensity.”
• “The climactic explosion was achieved with practical effects and miniatures, showcasing the special effects capabilities of the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch White Heat?

Currently, “White Heat” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check local listings for the most up-to-date information. You can also check your local library for DVD availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed White Heat, you might like these similar films:

• The Public Enemy (1931): Another classic gangster film starring James Cagney, showcasing his rise in the criminal world and violent tendencies.
• Scarface (1983): Both films depict the violent rise and fall of a ruthless criminal, ending in a similar blaze of glory.
• Goodfellas (1990): Explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the brutal realities of the criminal life, focusing on the psychology of gangsters.
• Heat (1995): Features a complex cat-and-mouse game between a determined detective and a professional thief, with intense action sequences and memorable performances.
• High Sierra (1941): A sympathetic portrayal of a flawed criminal on the run, sharing the tragic elements of a gangster’s inevitable downfall.

🛒 White Heat Related Products

• White Heat (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine restoration of the film, packed with insightful extras, including commentaries and documentaries. Perfect for cinephiles!
• James Cagney: Top of the World, Ma! T-Shirt: Show your love for Cagney with this stylish t-shirt featuring his famous line. A must-have for fans.
• White Heat (1949) Movie Poster – Reprint: Classic movie poster. Great for home theatres and fans!
• Warner Bros. Gangsters Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD]: This DVD collection includes White Heat, along with other great gangster films from the Warner Bros. catalog.

🎧 Soundtrack

White Heat features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Five O’Clock Whistle” – performed by Josef Myrow, Kim Gannon & Gene Irwin
• “White Heat Theme” – performed by Max Steiner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Copper!

Ever heard the phrase “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!”? This iconic clip showcases James Cagney’s explosive performance delivering that line in ‘White Heat’. It’s pure cinematic gold and gives you a taste of the film’s intensity.

✨ Rate