Produced by Cagney's brother William (for United Artists), who was himself an actor briefly in the 1930s, then turned to producing several films, mainly starring his brother: The Strawberry Blonde, The Bride Came C.O.D., Captains of the Clouds, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Blood on the Sun, The Time of Your Life, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye and A Lion Is In the Streets.
A quaint town is crawling with corruption and an old lady running a newspaper single-handed (Grace George) is the only one speaking against it. Cue arrival of tramp (angelic figure) Cagney to take her side and fight corrupt politician Edward McNamara and No. 2 Robert Barrat.
Fiercely protective maid Hattie McDaniel has a good part - she's fifth billed, above the bad guys, but below Marjorie Main, who's great as a nightclub owner, and love interest Marjorie Lord. Also involved: William Henry, George Cleveland (pissed newspaperman), Margaret Hamilton.
A slightly wimpy beginning with too much period music gives way to exciting, satisfying tale.
Photographed by Theodore Sparkuhl.
Made me want to watch other Marjorie Main pictures like Another Thin Man and Heaven Can Wait.
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