This programmer was shot on a "B" budget but it earns a B+ or A- from me. It's a swell picture, featuring Lloyd Nolan in the lead as a young mouthpiece for the mob. We learn that his character has a tragic backstory, having seen his old man gunned down by police when he was a kid. Growing up without a father, he learned that it is lawyers who profit from these things, so he decides to study criminal law. Only instead of being on the side of good law-abiding folk, he will use the knowledge he gains in law school to help a mobster (Barton MacLane) beat the cops.
Adding a few plot complications is his close friendship with a college roommate (Robert Middleton) which leads to him being "adopted" by the roomie's rural family. While staying with them on their farm one summer, he falls for his pal's sister (Lola Lane).
Despite the chance of living a good life with kind and honest people, Nolan refuses to let go of his hatred for the police. So when he returns to the city in the fall, he finishes his studies and becomes a lawyer for the mob. We then see him rise up the ranks, running a very posh legal office, helping all sorts of crooks pervert the court of justice, especially 'mentor' MacLane.
The story takes an interesting turn when his old roomie agrees to go undercover for the police. Not exactly to bring him down, but to prove to the police that Nolan may be morally challenged but is not a criminal mastermind. This leads a series of unexpected reversals for both characters, and their brotherly bond is tested to say the least. It all culminates in a big shootout back at the farm, which is used as a hideout. Barton fears Nolan is going to betray him, so he shows up to get rid of loose ends.
The studio ran into trouble when releasing the film in the midwest. Chicago refused to let it be exhibited in its theaters unless Republic changed the name to GANGS OF A CITY. But Chicago is still mentioned several times in the story, and moviegoers would certainly know what city these gangs were running.
Adding a few plot complications is his close friendship with a college roommate (Robert Middleton) which leads to him being "adopted" by the roomie's rural family. While staying with them on their farm one summer, he falls for his pal's sister (Lola Lane).
Despite the chance of living a good life with kind and honest people, Nolan refuses to let go of his hatred for the police. So when he returns to the city in the fall, he finishes his studies and becomes a lawyer for the mob. We then see him rise up the ranks, running a very posh legal office, helping all sorts of crooks pervert the court of justice, especially 'mentor' MacLane.
The story takes an interesting turn when his old roomie agrees to go undercover for the police. Not exactly to bring him down, but to prove to the police that Nolan may be morally challenged but is not a criminal mastermind. This leads a series of unexpected reversals for both characters, and their brotherly bond is tested to say the least. It all culminates in a big shootout back at the farm, which is used as a hideout. Barton fears Nolan is going to betray him, so he shows up to get rid of loose ends.
The studio ran into trouble when releasing the film in the midwest. Chicago refused to let it be exhibited in its theaters unless Republic changed the name to GANGS OF A CITY. But Chicago is still mentioned several times in the story, and moviegoers would certainly know what city these gangs were running.