This is the first of two films Cagney made at Grand National Pictures. It is one of Cagney's post-code tough guy films in which he is on the right side of the law for a change. Here he works at the Bureau of Weights and Measures and is trying to stop the corruption of grocers charging too much for their wares by claiming food weighs more than it does. Don't laugh, this is one of Cagney's better law and order type films. There is also the involvement of a larger criminal conspiracy, and Cagney is having problems with his love interest in the film, as usual, which is interestingly enough played by Mae Clarke. It's really a shame her career went nowhere after having some good roles in the early 30s. Cagney was at Grand National because he was feuding with Warner Brothers over salary, but Mae Clarke was there because she was on the way out.
This film is better than people give it credit for with some of those great Cagney tough guy touches.
This film is better than people give it credit for with some of those great Cagney tough guy touches.