A meat inspector sets out to rid his town of payoff deals affecting the quality of meat being sold to the public.
Acting
Cagney's kinetic energy even as a health inspector—dude makes bureaucracy dangerous.
Writing
Pre-Code snappiness; corruption schemes that actually make sense.
Director
John G. Blystone
James Cagney
Johnny 'Red' Cave
Mae Clarke
Janet Henry
James Burke
Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
Edward Brophy
Pete Reilly
Henry Kolker
Abel Canning
Bernadene Hayes
Hazel Scott
Edward McNamara
Captain Pat Hanlon
Robert Gleckler
Marty Cavanaugh
Joe Sawyer
Joe Burton
Edward Gargan
Henchman Al
Matty Fain
Henchman Tim
Mary Gordon
Mrs. Ogilvie
Wallis Clark
Joel Green
Douglas Wood
Mayor
Robert Lowery
Mr. Parker (Uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Cagney's last film for Grand National before he returned to Warner Bros; the studio folded shortly after.
Released during the 'Roosevelt recession,' the film's meat corruption plot resonated with audiences frustrated by institutional failures.
US
