"G" Men
In 1931, James Cagney helped jump-start the gangster genre as The Public Enemy. In 1935, he waged on-screen war against the nation's public enemies. Outcries against movies that glorified underworld criminals put Cagney on the side of the law in "G" Men.
Emphasis may have changed but elements are the same. "G" Men builds to a fury of bold escapes, siren-wailing pursuits and frenzied shootouts. "Anything worth newspaper space is worth a movie," Warner Bros. executive Lou Edelman declared. Here, a punchy hot-off-the-presses account of the pursuit and capture of John Dillinger provides the story inspiration as tough-guy Cagney gives it to 'em good in a movie that's "fast, gutsy, as simplistic and powerful as a tabloid headline" (Geoff Andrew, Time Out Film Guide).
Member Reviews
I Liked This Film A lot - GrannyGran
After solidifying his reputation as Hollywood's number-one bad guy, Cagney played a straight-edge lawman in this gangland drama, a huge hit for Warners and great publicity for J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling department, which had only recently granted officers the right to bear arms (a big plot point in the film). Cagney is mesmerizing as Brick, prudent and principled but also tough as nails and willing to throw his weight around. His two love interests, a bar-girl-gone-wrong (Ann Dvorak) and hospital nurse (Margaret Lindsay), land him in a tangle and also help amplify the theme of divided loyalties. Cagney is at his riveting, entertaining best in "G Men."Good Guy Cagney - CaptainRhodes
I'm a huge fan of James Cagney. Nothing comes close to this guy as far as I'm concerned. "G" Men, although a fine film, is not Cagney's best. Perhaps it is because I am very fond when Cagney is portraying the rough, tough gangster type himself. In "G" Men he spends his time battling the evil doers which leaves me with a certain longing. This movie is worth a watch but if you're expecting Public Enemy or White Heat, don't. To sum it up, I liked it and now it is part of my ever growing Cagney collection.
Member Reviews
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I Liked This Film A lot - GrannyGran
After solidifying his reputation as Hollywood's number-one bad guy, Cagney played a straight-edge lawman in this gangland drama, a huge hit for Warners and great publicity for J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling department, which had only recently granted officers ...Good Guy Cagney - CaptainRhodes
I'm a huge fan of James Cagney. Nothing comes close to this guy as far as I'm concerned. "G" Men, although a fine film, is not Cagney's best. Perhaps it is because I am very fond when Cagney is portraying the rough, tough gangster type himself. In "G" Men ...