James Cagney smashes a grapefruit into Mae Clarke's face

[WhiteMoccasin]

Yeah Jimmy! That'll teach the broad not to flap her gums.

[9162vb48]

Atta boy, Jimmy. When fruit's around, you gotta let these dames know who's boss!

[mwgfghost]

Pro-women, anti-women who cares? This is how it was back in the day and nobody cared. Maybe you're all just goin faggot.

[LieutenantEO]

@10068kafrin (that whole comment wasn't directed towards you, sorry.)

[LieutenantEO]

@100689kafrin I agree, but I'm only thirteen. Obviously, I wasn't alive in the 30's, but I know a great deal about the time period. And I know enough about the movie to understand that it was part of his character to be extremely cruel towards women. He played parts like this several times, and he said before that it in no way reflected how he felt towards women. Truthfully, if you're commenting about how you dislike women, or how she 'deserved it' I think Jimmy would be slightly disgusted...

[100689kafrin]

It is a movie made in the early 30's were any of you here then? Life was different then. It was

part of his character in the movie. He was not like that in real life. If you don't like women that is your problem, don't make it every one elses. You should watch about 1,000 more movies before you make any more comments about things you know nothing about.

[blacbraun]

oooo You dirty Rat!

[blacbraun]

Cagney was the Joe Peci of his age. Small guy but watch out!

[Deppaddicted]

@blacbraun More like Joe Pesci is the Jimmy Cagney our age.... :)

[Zigej]

She should have kept her mouth closed.

[DannyJoPJ81589]

This is exactly like my husband and I, haha. :P

[WSenator1]

Thing is, this scene is relevant today. For all the feminist talk, women don't like good guys - those that would treat them right, support them in what they'd do, and like that. Women love gangsters, thugs, bad guys, etc., who would - well, smash a grapefruit in their faces. When women start loving good men, then maybe their world will get right.

[stainskoolkidz]

Where was Kenny???

[lordikharo]

LOL

[yosef208]

one of my favorite Hollywood actors

[SUPERSCHMOO]

she looks like she's going to laugh.

[RealDefentertainment]

every man should put a bitch in her plave

[MadMax052]

he's a man he's a man man he's a man's man's man

[kellina84]

i fucking love Cagney!

[violinthief]

What a waste of a perfectly good grapefruit.

[MikeMeldan]

That scene was an improv!

[brogin]

Simpsons did it.

[DutchKalhoun]

I wish you was a wishing well!

[DutchKalhoun]

Yes ma'am. Have A Nice Day.

[DutchKalhoun]

Cagney knew how to put a woman in her place. I love it!

[26KIDa]

I am truly shocked and disgusted at some of these anti-women comments on here. Just because the internet is anonymous doesn't mean that you should say horrible things.

[griftersband]

misogyny win

[XXXG8R]

MY HERO!

[theblueangel28]

try that with Bette Davis...wish she'd had a scene where someone did..

would she tear the place to shreds, or just shoot him and finish her breakfast?

[koukinshouyu]

@heine71

Yeah, I'm surprised after all this time nobody from the show wrote it in. They do a lot of old movie spoofs.

[bigbawser]

how not to treat a woman

[heine71]

I'd like to see this done on Family Guy but with Peter Griffin splatting a grapefruit in Meg's face!

[rocklobsta1415]

let that be a lesson to u ladies, dont burn the goddamn toast

[JENDALL714]

You couldn't do a scene like this today because the Femi Nazi's would be all over you for promoting Spouse Abuse.

[tarpilot]

@JENDALL714

yes, because there are no sequences in films today where a man hits a woman

*BIGGEST FUCKING EYEROLL IN THE WORLD*

[cupchange]

@JENDALL714 watch more movies..moron

[banditlounge]

That's what she gets for being an ungrateful woman that can't keep her mouth shut in front of her man.

[Dobermite]

Orson Welles called James Cagney the greatest film actor who ever stepped in front of a camera.

His interviewer (Michael Parkinson) seemed surprised ... James Cagney, really? ... to which Mr. Welles replied, oh yes, I implore you to study his films carefully, there is not a fake minute in a James Cagney performance!

Welles shared some other interesting observations about Cagney, how he broke every rule in the book for film actors yet never was he a ham, he spoke about Cagney with awe.

[imthedorf1964]

Great scene!! Cagney later said in an interview that for years after making this film, whenever he was dining out, some smartass from another table would have the waiter bring a grapefruit to Cagney's table. Who of us wouldn't wanna do the same thing back then?

[Hammersmashed68]

Fun fact: Mae Clarke didn't realize Cagney was gonna shove the grapefruit in her face...totally spontaneous lol

[CitySkin09]

It could've been worse...he could have just slugged the bitch.

[WSenator1]

Is this what Ralph Kramden meant when he said, "Pow - right in the kisser?"

[BenAliGtor]

She wanted to yank his doodle...heard it was a "dandy".

[DeathByBlunderbuss]

I'm surprised there's only 9 dislikes. Guess people get Cagney as an actor.

[Zigej]

Should have had that drink ready.

[spongegirl4eva]

This isn't even bad, it's actually kinda funny haha! 

[pete0969wi]

Just give'em the grapefruit doll!!!!

[TheLogicalPositivist]

In the original script it was Cagney's dick instead of a grapefruit.

[stocker104]

@TheLogicalPositivist HAHAHHAHAA!!!

[themegatron14]

James Cagney Is such an inspiring actor to me. My favorite films of his was " white heat" and yankle doodle dandy and also more that I forgot and this one.

[MontrealMMA]

I don't wanna live a world where it's no longer appropriate to smash citrus fruits in a woman's face

[kives1985]

@MontrealMMA

You must be from Alabama.

[innit27]

she should have started licking up the grapefruit and turned herself on

[motherflange]

Mae Clarke takes her medicine like a real woman. Not like the girls of today, who go screaming to the authorities just because you punch them in the mush now and again.

[japstoryeditor]

He should have punched her to the moon.

[WSenator1]

@japstoryeditor - What, you think he's Ralph Kramden?

[Wutangspam]

Simply put............James Cagney ia a geezer!

[Raikaage]

haha awesome. I remember watching this on TNT when I was a kid.

[bernlin2000]

Best scene: domestic violence makes great entertainment!

[poughkeepsiejohn1]

"I wish you was a wishing well, so I can tie a bucket to ya and sink ya!"

That was even better than smashing the grapefruit in her face.

[Blagnord]

sure, it seems crude now, but Cagney was ahead of his time in insisting that the women in his life enjoy the benefits of good foods such as grapefruit, which is packed with anti-oxidants, pectin and naragin, a flavinoid that is credited with keeping some goats alive well past their useful age. And could he DANCE!  Ever see Yankee Piddle Candy? He was a monster in that one!!

[MrGutley]

@Blagnord Are you sure about that? I could have sworn the monster in that movie was played by Bela Lugosy.

[jimmie159]

@Blagnord hhhahahahahaaahhaa

[PATYPUS3]

@Blagnord Thanks for the pithy comment. We need more Blagnords in this here Youtube town.

[tedcantu1]

@Blagnord HAHHAHA... Yeah he REALLY cared about womens health. Thats exactly why he did this scene. You are hilarious.

[bannedagainfromutube]

Guy looks like Beavis.

[cartman52071]

@bannedagainfromutube yeah he does.lol

[TinaR2684]

that was just too funny!

[JohnnySton3r]

he looked gay when he hit the girl

[caucet]

ahhhhh

classic domestic violence...

[microsoft57]

Damn, I just can't stand this fool. Just can't stand his movies.

[scarypowers]

damn....what a prick

[marsJOHNYmars]

americian gangsters i love it.i see cornerstore boys sellin crack rocks with shit in there underwear and i just laugh

[iamfromsouthpole]

What was that about??

[Amorphustruth]

LOL..The cheeky sod...i would have had to tear his shit up......he'd have been pissing grapefruit juice.

[ThePsychoReturns]

Picking a fight with Jimmy Cagney would be a wonderful way to get yourself killed.

[Foodperson]

@ThePsychoReturns You're wrong. He hits like a wuss.

[WSenator1]

@Foodperson - . . .but his gun wouldn't!

[Johnnypt13]

@ThePsychoReturns

He was a fuckin' actor, goddammit.

[WSenator1]

@Amorphustruth - Not with Jimmy Cagney's character, you wouldn't!

[lindapittsburgh]

He came up with smashing her face with the Grapefruit all on his own added to the reality...of it ha?:)

[greenstevegarrett]

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! This never gets old!

[justinbenson6]

O and A were right, try doing a scene like this today, is near impossible.

[Ericzeppe]

Umm, violence towards women in movies today is still allowed, and even more brutal like beating and rapescenes.

Remember, back then you couldent show profanity,, rape, sex, or gore in movies. Thats extreme censurship if anything

Television on the other hand is more censured , expect for HBO.

[Dalekbeer]

Great scene. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the whole grapefruit thing a Cagney improv?

[cinerama62]

@Dalekbeer Yes it was, Mae never knew Jimmy was going to do this, look at her face after.

[marsJOHNYmars]

reminds me of about 8 years ago i asked my girl if she had any weed.except the grapefruit was a mcdonalds 1$ double cheeseburger

[sn00per8]

CLASSIC!!!!

[Kelly14UK]

Jagger, Richard, and Di Niro, must've, liked this scene.

[lindapittsburgh]

he is great!was!

[FamousBirthdays]

Happy Birthday James Cagney! July 17, 1899 - March 30, 1986 .

[RubHerSoul1]

That was pretty mean. But at least  not in a Mel Gibson way. LOL! JC was the best!

[MrHarry46]

wow....what a bastard. the girl was just trying to be nice

[WSenator1]

@MrHarry46 - When women would rather deal with gangsters, hoodlums, etc., instead of good guys who'd treat 'em right, this is what they get. . .and deserve.

[Persadish]

Wow, I can't believe this was converted into a simpsons parody. For those who havent seen it, its a flashback moment where Homer tells a very angry Bart "Son, I love you very much" and Bart shoves the grapefruit into Homers face while responding "Shuddup!". The scene cuts back to reality with Homer saying "mmm, Grapefruit". Infact, Bart is wearing striped PJ's like Cagney in this scene. I Cant believe the lengths the Simpsons writers used to go through just to do a parody. Pure comedy genious.

[prstar650biker2012]

Holey shit, that was pimp! O.Go the fullest

[spyderblk]

I want to watch this movie now. Jim should make a character based on this guy, any time a female calls the show.

[n3wg0t]

haha I love how this clip is commented on by only Opie and Anthony fans. Hahaha That's Terrific.

[phizfrail]

@n3wg0t hahahaha hell yeah

[Bangggggggggggggggg]

I lol'd at his face when he smashed the grapefruit

[LtStarkiller]

Grapefruit supplied by Ted's Fruit Emporium. Check it out on TedsFruitEmporiumWithAGoodGuar­antee dot comm

[jonathanpqsi]

amazing the amount of opie and anthony fans commenting

[drcoxcentral]

Even today I'm surprised how much they got away with back then! Today it would be considered very tame but back then because of strict morals this would be considered as an R rated film!

[sma1968]

@drcoxcentral Historical point. This scene is from a movie called, "The Public Enemy" it was released in 1931. It wasn't until 1930 that the "Hays Code" went into effect. The original cut of this movie was a 'pre Hays Code' movie. In fact, movies before the Hay's code were WAAYYYY more raunchy and pushing limits than what came until basically the late 60's and 1970's. Nudity, strong sexuality and pretty violent stuff existed in a big way before 1932. Roaring Twenties and all ! :)

[drcoxcentral]

@sma1968 Oh yeah I know that, I guess when I watched the film knowing that this was before the Hays Code was invented I'm just amazed by the level of violence and sexuality that was pushed in those days. And my generation and younger thinks that old films are pits, everybody who hates black and white films should watch this.

[madrigalq]

She's the type of rude woman to wear a hat indoors and need a young man to teach her some manners.

[capam2k2]

@madrigalq at the end, the young man will be courteous enough to say "here's your hat, miss"

[pencil256]

Now clean it up!

[outerspace1226]

tsss...she must really like grapefruit or sumptin..tssss.tsss

[DickRchrds]

@outerspace1226 GOOD ONE, CHIP

[Alex425707]

@outerspace1226 tssshh yeah he should ask her if she wants some sugar or sumpthin.... tsshh

[gnarkill87]

@outerspace1226 lol oh chip!

[BrendanIsCool]

@outerspace1226 pstthh yeah tthhsss shoulda been a rapefruit or somethin' of that ilk ppsstthhh eeettshhh

[mrmoses]

@outerspace1226 Oh CHIP!!



[hellhound1971]

@outerspace1226

Oh Chip, you are a riot

[nnneptune]

@outerspace1226 oh, chip!

[In19944]

What a disrespectful woman!

[thscott]

Good thing he wasn't eating an apple.

[spacewanderer1]

@thscott Good thing he wasn't eating a lead pipe.

[thscott]

@spacewanderer1 : Touche

[esa1810]

@thscott lol

[Nobeester]

I've listened 10 times to this clip. at :40 no one calls "cut." The sound you hear is her gasping as she begins to cry.

[moproducer]

at :40 you hear the director yell "Cut".

[MisterJeves]

Massive LAD.

[johnnowa1953]

And that grapefruit bit was ad-libbed, and the director liked it so much they left it in, and the rest is history.

[ALCAEUS72]

what a fucking dick!!!!! If I ever saw some shit like that I'd put a muther fucker through a wall. LOL Cagney is the best!!!!

[MrElectroGizmo]

@tomthefunky

STFU you moron.

[CabbageRollem]

the horror.

[matthewcgreen]

Classic

[EmptyHero]

lol irish people

[SGTJESW]

Its my mom and dad when i was 2

[FishSlap69]

HAHA!! i wish u was a wishin well...

[SomeonewhoisFrench]

Cagney = Beast. This reminds me of when my brother and I fought as kids, except instead of breaking down into tears, I smoothered his face with a pillow.

Good times.

[martinaee]

Ohhh.... alcoholic rage....

when will you get old.

by the way I think that's the first grapefruit head-shot I've ever seen.

[Asianwaste]

Mmmmm... grapefruit!

[number1Schumacherfan]

ahahahahaha. Back when women knew their place.

[bosnia91]

is THIS the infamous grape fruit scene?! I watched the movie a couple of days ago and didn't even notice it, pretty lame actually.

[girl43]

@bosnia91

yeah but pretty unexpected and unforeseen in 1931

[Randyrhoads4lyfe]

@bosnia91 It was cool because it wasnt in the script..He was suppose to slap her but use the grape fruit and her expression was GREAT..She have no idea what was coming.....

[bosnia91]

@Randyrhoads4lyfe how do u know it wasnt in the script?

[Randyrhoads4lyfe]

College professor told me.....I have Film Class...

[bosnia91]

ok then.

[GeminiNightOwl]

She did know what was coming because Jim asked her about it first and asked if it was OK with her. It was stated in his biography. He ad-libbed the line "I wish you was a wishin well" Mae agreed and said it was okay with the grapefruit. Years later when everyone asked what it was like to be hit in the face with a grapefruit by James Cagney, she said "wet". LOL

[GeminiNightOwl]

also unforeseen was the fact that both James Cagney and his friend were living with the two women - that wasn't depicted on the screen in those days...

[lazybones2000]

@GeminiNightOwl Actually, this was a pre-code movie. They did show the men living with women out of wedlock then. The Hayes code wasn't enforced til 1934, three years after this movie was released.

[singingscotty2001]

Public Enemy was made in 1931. Cagney was born in 1899. He was 32 when this film was made.

[BeyondLame]

back then this scene was condemned

[TheBirdMamma]

Bitch gets outta line smack em witta grapefruit

[Stubear12]

Bang!!!

[gpb422]

That isn't Mae West...duh

[WSenator1]

@gpb422 - Correct - it was Mae CLARK(E) with the grapefruit. Mae WEST would have cracked Cagney across the head with a chair!

[SmileyCrossbones]

@WSenator1 someone needs to make that movie :)

[ToddBoyle]

so disgusting.

[tyler46363]

bitch got pwned

[TROUSERFLAP]

There was no need for that. He should have used a banana.

[TROUSERFLAP]

Is this the one where he kidnaps a bus full of pensioners? Finally, being blown up on a gas tank?

[TheFilmaniac]

That's "White Heat"

[GeminiNightOwl]

Actually she did know because he asked her if she would be offended. Years later on an interview clip, she said when asked how it felt to be hit by JC with a grapefruit, she replied "Wet". Gotta love it.

[realfunny7]

mae clark did not know he was going to do that

[lemontaster0]

yeah stick it to that bitch james!

[balqis23977]

hes ugly.................