G Men, the smart, energetic Warner film, directed by William Keighley, cast star Jimmy Cagney not as a gangster, but as an FBI agent, in an effort to broaden his range and change his established screen image.
Grade: B
G Men | |
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Cagney plays James “Brick” Davis, a tough guy who is put through law school by the generous mobster Mckay (William Harrigan). When his best pal becomes an FBI agent and is ruthlessly and senselessly gunned down, he joins the agency to seek revenge.
Critics at the time pointed out that as gangster or lawman, Cagney, a personality actor, was tough, ruthless, reckless, and violent.
Reportedly J. Edgar Hoover liked the project and assigned several of his agents to appear in the picture in order to increase its authenticity and lend it greater credibility.
Made in the height of the Depression, G Men is fast-moving, rough-edged and involving in a pulpish way, like many of Warner’s flicks of the era, which seemed to be inspired by hot tabloid stories.
Oscar Alert
Oscar nominations: 1
Original Story: Gregory Rogers (written-in candidate)
Oscar Context
The winners of the Original Story Oscar were Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur for “The Scoundrel.”
Cast
James Cagney as James “Brick” Davis
Margaret Lindsay as Miss Kay McCord
Ann Dvorak as Jean Morgan Collins
Robert Armstrong as Jeffrey “Jeff” McCord
Barton MacLane as Brad Collins
Lloyd Nolan as Hugh Farrell
William Harrigan as “Mac” MacKay
Russell Hopton as Gerard
Edward Pawley as Danny Leggett
Addison Richards as Gregory
Noel Madison as Durfee
Harold Huber as Venke
Monte Blue as Fingerprint Expert
Regis Toomey as Edward “Eddie” Buchanan
Raymond Hatton as Gangster
Edwin Maxwell as Joseph Kratz
Ward Bond as Gunman at Train Station
Adrian Morris as Accomplice
Credits
Directed by William Keighley
Written by Darryl F. Zanuck (story, uncredited) Seton I. Miller, based on Public Enemy No. 1 by Gregory Rogers
Produced by Louis F. Edelman, Hal B. Wallis
Cinematography Sol Polito
Edited by Jack Killifer
Music by Bernhard Kaun
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: April 18, 1935
Running time: 85 minutes
Budget $307,000
Box office $1,963,000