This is a very early Edward G. Robinson picture, several pictures before "Little Caesar", and he is still a cardboard 'Bad Guy', unemotional and no depth of character, just 'Evil Menace'. He is not the star but, even so, he is vastly entertaining and commands the screen whenever he is on it. With a high-brimmed fedora and flashy jewelry, he preens and struts and intimidates with his side-of-the-mouth, snarling delivery.
Too bad he wasn't the main focus of the movie. That honor goes to Joseph Schildkraut, who plays a newly-wed reporter who has incurred Robinson's wrath by some unflattering expose stories. Robinson pays him a visit in the newsroom one night in a tense scene tailor-made for Robinson. From that point on the film takes off, powered by Robinson's villainy and Schildkraut's stubborn tenacity. It is a suspenseful, absorbing 60 minutes with an exciting climax and a semi-surprise ending.
I could have rated this picture higher but I felt it was marred by Schildkraut's stagey, overwrought performance which lacked subtlety in the appropriate spots. He would go on to a distinguished career in Hollywood (Life Of Emile Zola, Diary Of Anne Frank), but here showed the effects of his silent film and theatrical background. Nevertheless, it was a well-done gangster picture saved by Robinson's presence. Shown at Capitolfest, Rome NY, 8/13.