Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
James Cagney | ... | Frank Ross | |
George Raft | ... | 'Hood' Stacey | |
Jane Bryan | ... | Joyce | |
George Bancroft | ... | John Armstrong | |
Maxie Rosenbloom | ... | Fargo Red | |
Stanley Ridges | ... | Meuller | |
Alan Baxter | ... | Carlisle | |
Victor Jory | ... | Grayce | |
John Wray | ... | Pete Kassock | |
Edward Pawley | ... | Dale | |
Willard Robertson | ... | Lang | |
Emma Dunn | ... | Mrs. Ross | |
Paul Hurst | ... | Garsky | |
Louis Jean Heydt | ... | Lassiter | |
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Joe Downing | ... | Limpy Julien |
Although innocent, reporter Frank Ross is found guilty of murder and is sent to jail. While his friends at the newspaper try to find out who framed him, Frank gets hardened by prison life and his optimism turns into bitterness. He meets fellow-inmate Stacey and they decide to help each other. Written by Leon Wolters <wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl>
William Keighley directed this memorable prison drama that stars Jimmy Cagney as newspaper investigative reporter Frank Ross, who was looking into political corruption and racketeering when he is knocked out, then framed for manslaughter after they make it look like he was a drunk driver. Frank at first handles this injustice with his head held high, but despite his paper's determination to prove his innocence, he grows increasingly bitter and despondent as time passes, and he is subjected to isolation. He does befriend gangster Stacy(played by George Raft) whom he helps escape to prove him innocent, but that help comes at a high price... Well-acted and compelling film may not be entirely realistic, but viewer will likely overlook that because of the storytelling skill on display here, and features one of Cagney's best performances.