Captain James McQuigg is an incorruptible cop in a corrupt city. Master criminal bootlegger Nick Scarsi controls the city government and the police. Scarsi warns McQuigg to change his racket but he assures Scarsi that he's in the right one. Scarsi battles rival Spike Corcoran with McQuigg in the middle. Nick's little brother Joe Scarsi is taken with performer Helen Hayes but Nick will have none of the "gold-digger". McQuigg arrests Nick for the murder of Spike but he bribes his way out and transfers McQuigg out to the sticks. McQuigg arrests Joe after a car chase with Hayes as the witness setting off a series of events leading up to the election.
Produced by Howard Hughes, this was nominated for best picture in the first Academy Awards. Louis Wolheim has a great face for a gangster and he's the best aspect of the movie. Most of the criminals are great but Thomas Meighan is a little stiff. He plays the boy scout without the charismatic gravitas. The first half of the movie is great. Nick is full-on gangster and it's a lot of fun. The second half is muddled and less fun. The second half has more McQuigg and the movie meanders. As an aside, the music is more or less background filler. The restoration should find something more compelling.
Produced by Howard Hughes, this was nominated for best picture in the first Academy Awards. Louis Wolheim has a great face for a gangster and he's the best aspect of the movie. Most of the criminals are great but Thomas Meighan is a little stiff. He plays the boy scout without the charismatic gravitas. The first half of the movie is great. Nick is full-on gangster and it's a lot of fun. The second half is muddled and less fun. The second half has more McQuigg and the movie meanders. As an aside, the music is more or less background filler. The restoration should find something more compelling.