The great iconic Warner Bros stars (Cagney, Robinson, Bogart) were always most memorable working the wrong side of the law, yet they hated being typed. This standard issue pic, slackly helmed by William Keighley, tries to finesse things with Edward G Robinson acting a good cop gone bad role. He joins the mob reluctantly when he’s fired from the force, but it’s not much of a surprise to find out he’s really working undercover for the tough new Commissioner. There’s still some fun watching Eddie take down mobsters & crooked capitalists twice his size. Add in young Humphrey Bogart, none too pleased playing second-fiddle, and Joan Blondell in an interesting role (nightclub owner/"numbers" queen) and it’s watchable hokum though the casual acceptance of dictatorial police powers is best not dwelt upon.
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