The People's Enemy

Sometimes the running times listed on IMDB are wrong. For example, I've seen quite a few films that were longer than the time listed on the site. However, in many cases, the running times listed are longer...and often this means that the film was trimmed...often to make it fit TV time slots. In the case of "People's Enemy" the film is listed at 70 minutes but the copy I saw ran 55...but it seemed like parts had been excised from the original print. In particular, much of the plot involving Falcone's ex-wife seem conspicuously absent.

When the story begins, a long-time hood, Vince Falcone (Preston Foster) is in court on tax evasion charges. While his lawyer, 'Traps' Stuart (Melvyn Douglas) tried his best, the evidence is all against him...and he's sentenced to nine years. Falcone makes Traps promise to find Falcone's family he abandoned long ago...mostly because he wants to bring this ex-wife and child to future parole hearings to make it look good...as if they are waiting for Falcone to come home! Unfortunately, the wife wants nothing to do with him...and Traps is infatuated with her and wants her for himself.

During Falcone's time in prison, he becomes even more bitter and nasty...and blames Traps for him being there! He also learns that the ex-wife and Falcone are an item (which is true) and he assumes Traps has turned on him. When his parole is denied, Falcone is even more convinced Traps is his enemy...and he escapes in order to settle the score.

This is a decent film but because of the butchered condition, it feels cheap and missing important stuff...which, I can only assume is true. Worth seeing? Maybe, but I'd try to see if you can find a 70 minute copy...if it still exists.