James "Brick" Davis (James Cagney) is a street-wise New York City lawyer who decides to join the US Department of Justice and become a G-Man after his friend Eddie Buchanan (Regis Toomey), also a G-Man, is gunned down by mobsters.
The concept that Davis had his law school tuition paid for by a guy "in the rackets" is clever, and as soon as he gets accepted by the FBI, he tells the guy about it. Even more surprising, the guy supports this decision, despite knowing that would make him and his associates a target. Such an odd relationship.
The people behind the film sought the FBI's approval, particularly since they were fictionalizing real events. After the acceptance by J. Edgar Hoover, the partnership lead to the new beginning being tacked on in 1949 for the FBI's 25th anniversary. Today, the film is rarely (if ever) seen without the bonus segment.
Because of its basis in real life, crime buffs will enjoy what they see and see it coming before the rest of the audience. At one point, rackets boss Mac (William Harrigan) plans to retire and start an inn in northern Wisconsin. The crime fans will see a veiled reference to the April 1934 shootout at Little Bohemia between Dillinger and the FBI, and this foreshadowing comes to fruition... (Harrigan, incidentally, was not a prolific actor and had last appeared on screen two years prior in "The Invisible Man".)
This is classic Cagney. It may not be anything like what the real FBI was like in the 1930s (or 1920s, as the case may be). But it has Cagney being his punchy little self, this time on the side of the good guys. (Apparently Cagney wanted to be a "polished gentleman", but the studio wanted him to be a "mug" more like his role in "Public Enemy", and this was probably wise on the studio's part.)
Professor Richard Jewell provides commentary on the DVD. He may not be the most eloquent speaker, but he is quite informed and knowledgeable in general. He could be more informed about the Kansas City Massacre, though.
The concept that Davis had his law school tuition paid for by a guy "in the rackets" is clever, and as soon as he gets accepted by the FBI, he tells the guy about it. Even more surprising, the guy supports this decision, despite knowing that would make him and his associates a target. Such an odd relationship.
The people behind the film sought the FBI's approval, particularly since they were fictionalizing real events. After the acceptance by J. Edgar Hoover, the partnership lead to the new beginning being tacked on in 1949 for the FBI's 25th anniversary. Today, the film is rarely (if ever) seen without the bonus segment.
Because of its basis in real life, crime buffs will enjoy what they see and see it coming before the rest of the audience. At one point, rackets boss Mac (William Harrigan) plans to retire and start an inn in northern Wisconsin. The crime fans will see a veiled reference to the April 1934 shootout at Little Bohemia between Dillinger and the FBI, and this foreshadowing comes to fruition... (Harrigan, incidentally, was not a prolific actor and had last appeared on screen two years prior in "The Invisible Man".)
This is classic Cagney. It may not be anything like what the real FBI was like in the 1930s (or 1920s, as the case may be). But it has Cagney being his punchy little self, this time on the side of the good guys. (Apparently Cagney wanted to be a "polished gentleman", but the studio wanted him to be a "mug" more like his role in "Public Enemy", and this was probably wise on the studio's part.)
Professor Richard Jewell provides commentary on the DVD. He may not be the most eloquent speaker, but he is quite informed and knowledgeable in general. He could be more informed about the Kansas City Massacre, though.