Directed By: Roy Del Ruth
Written By: Ben Markson and Lilie Hayward
Based on the story “The Finger Man” By: Rosalind Keating Shaffer
Cinematography: Tony Gaudio
Editor: George Amy
Cast: James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Margaret Lindsay, Leslie Fenton, Douglas Dumbrille, Russell Hopton, Raymond Hatton, Henry O’Neill
When a movie theater usher is fired, he takes up with criminals and finds himself quite adept at various illegal activities. Eventually though, the police catch up with him, and he runs to hide out in Los Angeles. There he stumbles into the movie business and soon rises to stardom. He has gone straight, but his newfound success arouses the interest of his old criminal associates, who are not above blackmail.
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The films of James Cagney’s work that I see, he is swiftly becoming one of my favorite actors of all time.
As he has a screen presence personality, and tons of range and while this film, is it quite one of his memorable ones. it’s still an interesting entry in his résumé and one can see why he starred in it.
The film is pre-code Hollywood where anything goes.
As the first half definitely works and it’s fun, funny and seems to move quite long at a quick pace that stays charming. Though once the second half of the film starts where he has to relocate and go to Hollywood and we see him work his way up the ladder. In various roles for the studio.
Where this part of the film is where the romance starts, it also allows us to see him in various costumes and roles that come off more comedic, and are truly a time capsule of old Hollywood for those fanatics which shows how they would dress up extras as Native Americans and westerns and the special effects that they would use
It also allows us for a good part of the film to see James Cagney with a hideous thin mustache. Now once his life has seemed to have settled his old cronies and business partners from his passing to hunt him down and find him and while this should be thrilling this is actually What brings the film down as it’s not as fun or inventive as the rest of the film and really makes the film dragged towards the end and this film is under 90 minutes already
One quality that is notable is the viciousness in which he treats one of his old female compatriots and seemingly ex lover when he throws her out he’s just so outrageously violent towards her that it almost feels comical, which seems to be what the film is going for but watching it it feels over-the-top and cruel, no matter what happened in their past. I’m talking Tyler Perry melodramatic over the top.
The film is a crime keeper comedy and does whisk along rather quick, but truly James Cagney is the only reason to watch this film. He is the star and truly is one in this film. While the rest of the cast is good enough but not all that memorable
James Cagney said in interviews it’s not one of his finest. In fact, I had never heard of it until it came up on a streaming service and decided to give it a chance.
So for this one I say watch at your own risk, but if you’re a James Cagney fan, I think it’s enjoyable
GRADE: C
