This film marked the first for George Raft under the Warners’ regime. Famous as a young song and dance man, Raft later became Paramount’s answer to Cagney in their mobster film genre, but in the end, no one could compete with the Warner Bros. in that category.
The film paired Cagney with his semi-rival and the two did well together on screen. Two song and dance actors in gritty gangster stereotype action makes for a great film. The story is well paced and keeps in stride, a well versed supporting ensemble to help.
Ironically, it was Raft who would later turn down ‘High Sierra’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon’, making way for another Cagney gangster co-star, Humphrey Bogart.
Profiles in Celluloid: A Film Blog 