Edward G. Robinson is flashy but vulnerable as a lucky barber who aspires to become a big city gambler. Encouraged by his success in the backroom dice game in his barber shop, Robinson convinces his friends that he's got the touch, borrows a stake, and heads off to make his fortune.
The obstacles he encounters include crooked hotel gamblers as well as a cigarette girl who tricks him out of a $100 bill. However, persistence and some shady tricks of his own eventually land Edward G. at the top of his profession: Nick the Barber runs the biggest gambling joint in town.
Unfortunately, the D.A. looks askance at gamblers, however charismatic, and while the first section of the story shows Nick's rise to fame, the bulk of the picture deals with the personal and legal dangers that threaten to bring him down.
James Cagney is fine in what is definitely a secondary role as Robinson's friend and chief assistant. Evalyn Knapp turns up late in the story as a depressed young woman who is rescued and taken in by Robinson. Cagney is sure she's a spy working for the D.A. and looking for evidence; Robinson trusts her completely. How will it all shake out? Whom can you trust, anyway?
Like many of these early 30s dramas, this film offers no pat ending or definite moral message...it's a tale about taking a shot and stopping at nothing. Edward G. Robinson's performance, self-assured and stubbornly optimistic, makes it worth watching.
Quick cast note: Boris Karloff has a bit as a shadowy figure who loses $100 to Edward G. early in the picture. Interesting that during this same year both Karloff and Cagney would see their careers take off.
Unfortunately, the D.A. looks askance at gamblers, however charismatic, and while the first section of the story shows Nick's rise to fame, the bulk of the picture deals with the personal and legal dangers that threaten to bring him down.
James Cagney is fine in what is definitely a secondary role as Robinson's friend and chief assistant. Evalyn Knapp turns up late in the story as a depressed young woman who is rescued and taken in by Robinson. Cagney is sure she's a spy working for the D.A. and looking for evidence; Robinson trusts her completely. How will it all shake out? Whom can you trust, anyway?
Like many of these early 30s dramas, this film offers no pat ending or definite moral message...it's a tale about taking a shot and stopping at nothing. Edward G. Robinson's performance, self-assured and stubbornly optimistic, makes it worth watching.
Quick cast note: Boris Karloff has a bit as a shadowy figure who loses $100 to Edward G. early in the picture. Interesting that during this same year both Karloff and Cagney would see their careers take off.