Acting
Cagney's volcanic charisma burns through every frame
Writing
Dialogue so rapid it needs subtitles and a stiff drink
Production
Glimmering last gasp of Hollywood's anything-goes era
Director
Lloyd Bacon
James Cagney
Daniel Patrick "Danny" Kean
Ralph Bellamy
J.R. 'Al' McLean
Patricia Ellis
Patricia Mary 'Pat' Nolan
Alice White
Allison
Ralf Harolde
Jerry the Mug
Robert Emmett O'Connor
Police Lt. Casey Nolan
Robert Barrat
Grover, Graphic News Owner
G. Pat Collins
Hennessy the Fireman
Arthur Vinton
John, Sing Sing Head Keeper
Tom Wilson
Leo
Gino Corrado
Barber (uncredited)
Sterling Holloway
Journalism Student (uncredited)
Selmer Jackson
Joe Chase - Record Editor (uncredited)
Milton Kibbee
Reporter Outside Prison (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months before the Hays Code enforcement, Picture Snatcher features lingerie shots, criminal heroes, and casual violence that vanished from screens until the 1960s.
Cagney's subway photo stunt was shot guerrilla-style on actual NYC trains—no permits, real commuters, pure 1933 energy.
US
