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James Cagney plays Tom Powers, the son of a Chicago policeman, growing up in the city slums where, as a boy, he naturally turns to petty crime as a way of life. As an adult he becomes a successful big-time liquor racketeer. Tom Power has no socially redeemimg traits. He takes pleasure in even the most petty of physical insults, such as grinding half a grapefruit into the startled face of Mae Clark. Cagney’s raw ferocious portrayal of a vicious criminal is masterful and the film is a classic in its genre. Also stars Jean Harlow and Joan Blondell.
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Stream, rent or buy via
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
305839
Language
English
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers → Gangster films
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)