The Doorway to Hell is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film directed by Archie Mayo and starring Lew Ayres and James Cagney in his second film role. The film was based on the story "A Handful of Clouds", written by Rowland Brown. The film's title was typical of the sensationalistic titles of many Pre-Code films. It was marketed with the tagline "The picture Gangland defied Hollywood to make! <br /><br />Storyline: <br />Lou Ricarno is a smart guy. His plan is to organize the various gangs in Chicago so that the mugs will not liquidate each other. WIth the success of his leadership, Louie prospers, marries Doris and retires to Florida to write his autobiography and play golf. In his absence the gang warfare flares, but he does not return as he wants to give a respectable image of life to his wife, younger brother and his Florida neighbors. While letters and telegrams from Mileaway will not influence his decision, events will. <br /><br />Credits: <br />Lew Ayres as Louie Ricarno <br />Charles Judels as Florist (scenes deleted) <br />Dorothy Mathews as Doris <br />Leon Janney as Jackie <br />Robert Elliott as O'Grady <br />James Cagney as Mileaway <br />Kenneth Thomson as Capt. of Academy <br />Jerry Mandy as Gangster <br />Noel Madison as Rocco <br />Eddie Kane as Dr. Morton <br />Tom Wilson as Gangster <br />Dwight Frye as Monk <br />Edwin Argus as Midget <br />Rest Of Cast: <br />Fred Argus as Machine Gunner (uncredited) <br />Marie Astaire as Kitty the Fortune Teller (uncredited) <br />Elmer Ballard as Tommy - Louie's Chauffeur (uncredited) <br />Joe Bordeaux as Joe - Gangster (uncredited) <br />Clark Burroughs as Nigger Mike (uncredited) <br />Nick Copeland as The Midget's Henchman (uncredited) <br />Bernard Granville as Dr. J.W. Johnson Plastic Surgeon (uncredited) <br />Ruth Hall as Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) <br />Eddie Hart as Tansey (uncredited) <br />Al Hill as Jimmy Kirk - Gangster (uncredited) <br />Thomas E. Jackson as Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) <br />John Kelly as Whitey Eckhart (uncredited) <br />Gus Leonard as Shop Owner (uncredited) <br />Larry McGrath as Detective (uncredited) <br />Collette Merton as Jane uncredited) <br />Eddie Moran as Hymie - a Gangster <br />George Rosener as Slick (uncredited) <br />Cliff Saum as Poolroom Proprietor (uncredited) <br />Tony Stabenau as Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) <br />Jack Wise as Delivery Waiter (uncredited)
