The stringent censorship imposed upon Hollywood of the mid-1930s dictated that gangsters could no longer be the "heroes" in any crime film. Public Hero No. 1 reflects this restriction. G-Man Chester Morris poses as a crook to infiltrate the notorious Purple Gang, a band of hoodlums which preys upon other hoodlums. Orchestrating the jailbreak of the Gang's leader (Joseph Calleia), Morris joins him in a Dillinger-like flight across the country. The bloody denouement, which occurs in a vaudeville theatre, is likewise drawn from the Dillinger saga (that particular gentleman was of course killed in front of a movie house). Also featured in Public Hero No. 1 is Jean Arthur as the heroine (a comic role) and Lionel Barrymore as a drunken gang doctor. The film was remade as The Getaway in 1942.
Al Hill, Anderson Lawler, Arthur Housman, Bert Moorhouse, Bert Roach, Bill Wolfe, Billy Sullivan, Bob Montgomery, Brooks Benedict, Carl Stockdale, Chester Morris, Cora Sue Collins, Dorothy Vernon, Ed Brady, Eddie Hart, Edward Hearn, Frank Bruno, Frank Darien, Frank McGlynn Jr, Frank Moran, Frank Rice, George E Stone, Gladden James, Greta Meyer, Helene C
Crime, Drama

If you're looking to stream Public Hero Number 1 through trusted and legitimate sources, there are several legal options available depending on your location and preferences. For those with subscriptions, major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and HBO Max (availability may vary by region) often include superhero classics like Public Hero Number 1 in their rotating libraries. Regional services such as Viu may also offer access depending on licensing agreements.
Prefer to stream without a subscription? You can check out ad-supported platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle, or Peacock, where available. These services allow free viewing with occasional ads and are fully licensed.
If you’d rather own or rent a copy, digital storefronts such as Google Play Movies, Apple iTunes, and Amazon Video offer Public Hero Number 1 for individual purchase or rental, often in HD or 4K quality.
Additionally, don’t overlook library-based services like Kanopy and Hoopla, which allow free streaming for users with participating library cards or university accounts. Lastly, some film studios and official distributors occasionally upload full movies to their YouTube channels, giving you a legal way to enjoy classic titles directly from the source.
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