G Men
Encyclopedia
G Men is a 1935 Warner Bros.
crime film starring James Cagney
and Ann Dvorak
. It also marked Lloyd Nolan
's film debut. According to Variety Magazine, it was one of the top-grossing films of 1935.
G Men was made as part of a deliberate attempt to counteract what many conservative political and business leaders claimed was a disturbing trend of glorifying criminals in the early 1930s gangster film genre. Although the gangster films were typically presented as moral indictments of organized crime where the criminal protagonist inevitably died, they nevertheless depicted a life of freedom, power and luxury enjoyed by gangsters in the midst of a real-life economic crisis. Foremost of these films were Little Caesar
, the original Scarface
, and perhaps the most memorable, The Public Enemy
, which catapulted Cagney to stardom. Also notable about these films was that law enforcement was typically portrayed as either impotent in the face of crime, or, as with Public Enemy, akin to a derelict and largely absentee father shirking his duty. Based on this interpretation, G Men supplanted the criminal protagonist with the heroic federal police officer.
Most prints of this film include a brief scene added at the beginning for the 1949 re-release. This scene depicts a group of FBI recruits preparing to view the film so that they may learn about the Bureau's history.
In 2008, G Men was nominated for AFI's Top 10 Gangster Films.
lawyer Brick Davis (James Cagney
) has no clients. His friend Eddie Buchanan (Regis Toomey
) tries to recruit him as a federal agent or "G Man" (government man), but Davis is not interested. However, when Buchanan is killed while trying to arrest a gangster, Davis changes his mind, determined to bring the killer to justice. He bids farewell to his mentor, "Mac" MacKay (Willliam Harrigan), a gang boss who financed his education to keep Davis on the right side of the law. He bids farwell to Jean Morgan (Ann Dvorak
), the star of MacKay's nightclub who has feelings for Davis.
Davis travels to Washington, D.C. to begin his training. A mutual dislike forms immediately between him and his instructor, Jeff McCord (Robert Armstrong
). However, Davis is attracted to McCord's sister Kay (Margaret Lindsay
).
Meanwhile, MacKay retires and buys a resort lodge out in the woods of Wisconsin. His men, free of his restraint, embark on a crime spree. Hamstrung by existing laws (federal agents have to get local warrants and are not even allowed to carry guns), the head of the G-Men pleads for new laws to empower his beleaguered men. They are enacted with great speed.
Davis identifies one of the perpetrators, Danny Leggett (Edward Pawley
), by his superstition of always wearing a gardenia
. Not having completed his training, he can only give agent Hugh Farrell (Lloyd Nolan
) tips on Leggett's habits. Farrell tracks down and arrests his quarry, but he and some of his men are gunned down, and Leggett escapes.
McCord is put in charge of the manhunt and given his choice of five agents. He picks Davis, a decision that later pays dividends when Davis pushes him out the way and takes a bullet meant for him. Davis ends up in the hospital (where Kay is a nurse) for his shoulder wound. When Jean is brought in for questioning, Davis learns she is now married to Collins (Barton MacLane
), one of the crooks. She inadvertently lets slip that the gang is hiding out at MacKay's lodge (against MacKay's will). In the ensuing wild shootout, Davis kills MacKay, who was being used as a human shield. Before he dies, MacKay forgives his distraught friend.
Only Collins gets away. He kidnaps Kay to use as a hostage. Jean finds out where he is hiding and telephones Davis, only to be killed in cold blood by her husband. Davis sneaks inside and rescues Kay. Collins is shot to death by McCord as he tries to drive away.
. Not only was Davis incorruptible, for example, but he had a law degree at a time when police work was usually learned on-the-job. The FBI opened its training academy the same year G Men was released, and claimed that it recruited college graduates. Although Hoover did not directly serve as an advisor to G Men, as his power and independence from his political superiors grew over time, he became more overtly involved in cultural offerings that promoted his agency, including comic strips and radio dramas.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
crime film starring James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
and Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak was an American film actress.Asked how to pronounce her adopted surname, she told The Literary Digest: "My name is properly pronounced vor'shack. The D remains silent...
. It also marked Lloyd Nolan
Lloyd Nolan
Lloyd Benedict Nolan was an American film and television actor.-Biography:Nolan was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Margaret and James Nolan, who was a shoe manufacturer...
's film debut. According to Variety Magazine, it was one of the top-grossing films of 1935.
G Men was made as part of a deliberate attempt to counteract what many conservative political and business leaders claimed was a disturbing trend of glorifying criminals in the early 1930s gangster film genre. Although the gangster films were typically presented as moral indictments of organized crime where the criminal protagonist inevitably died, they nevertheless depicted a life of freedom, power and luxury enjoyed by gangsters in the midst of a real-life economic crisis. Foremost of these films were Little Caesar
Little Caesar (film)
Little Caesar is a 1931 Warner Bros. Pre-Code crime film. It tells the story of a hoodlum who ascends the ranks of organized crime until he reaches its upper echelons. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, the film stars Edward G. Robinson and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. The story was adapted by Francis Edward...
, the original Scarface
Scarface (1932 film)
Scarface is a 1932 American gangster film starring Paul Muni and George Raft, produced by Howard Hughes, directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson, and written by Ben Hecht based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Armitage Trail...
, and perhaps the most memorable, The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy is a 1931 American Pre-Code crime film starring James Cagney and directed by William A. Wellman. The film relates the story of a young man's rise in the criminal underworld in prohibition-era urban America...
, which catapulted Cagney to stardom. Also notable about these films was that law enforcement was typically portrayed as either impotent in the face of crime, or, as with Public Enemy, akin to a derelict and largely absentee father shirking his duty. Based on this interpretation, G Men supplanted the criminal protagonist with the heroic federal police officer.
Most prints of this film include a brief scene added at the beginning for the 1949 re-release. This scene depicts a group of FBI recruits preparing to view the film so that they may learn about the Bureau's history.
In 2008, G Men was nominated for AFI's Top 10 Gangster Films.
Plot
One year after graduation, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
lawyer Brick Davis (James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
) has no clients. His friend Eddie Buchanan (Regis Toomey
Regis Toomey
John Regis Toomey was an American film and television actor.-Early life:Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was one of four children of Francis X. and Mary Ellen Toomey and attended Peabody High School...
) tries to recruit him as a federal agent or "G Man" (government man), but Davis is not interested. However, when Buchanan is killed while trying to arrest a gangster, Davis changes his mind, determined to bring the killer to justice. He bids farewell to his mentor, "Mac" MacKay (Willliam Harrigan), a gang boss who financed his education to keep Davis on the right side of the law. He bids farwell to Jean Morgan (Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak was an American film actress.Asked how to pronounce her adopted surname, she told The Literary Digest: "My name is properly pronounced vor'shack. The D remains silent...
), the star of MacKay's nightclub who has feelings for Davis.
Davis travels to Washington, D.C. to begin his training. A mutual dislike forms immediately between him and his instructor, Jeff McCord (Robert Armstrong
Robert Armstrong (actor)
Robert Armstrong was an American film actor best remembered for his role as Carl Denham in the 1933 version of King Kong by RKO Pictures. He uttered the famous exit quote, "'Twas beauty killed the beast," at the film's end...
). However, Davis is attracted to McCord's sister Kay (Margaret Lindsay
Margaret Lindsay
Margaret Lindsay was an American film actress. Her time as a Warner Bros. contract player during the 1930s was particularly productive...
).
Meanwhile, MacKay retires and buys a resort lodge out in the woods of Wisconsin. His men, free of his restraint, embark on a crime spree. Hamstrung by existing laws (federal agents have to get local warrants and are not even allowed to carry guns), the head of the G-Men pleads for new laws to empower his beleaguered men. They are enacted with great speed.
Davis identifies one of the perpetrators, Danny Leggett (Edward Pawley
Edward Pawley
Edward Joel Pawley was an American actor of radio, films and Broadway. The full name on his birth certificate is Edward Joel Stone Pawley, however, he never used the Stone name. It derived from a Stone family in Illinois.At maturity, Pawley was 5'-10" tall with thick black hair and blue eyes...
), by his superstition of always wearing a gardenia
Gardenia
Gardenia is a genus of 142 species of flowering plants in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania....
. Not having completed his training, he can only give agent Hugh Farrell (Lloyd Nolan
Lloyd Nolan
Lloyd Benedict Nolan was an American film and television actor.-Biography:Nolan was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Margaret and James Nolan, who was a shoe manufacturer...
) tips on Leggett's habits. Farrell tracks down and arrests his quarry, but he and some of his men are gunned down, and Leggett escapes.
McCord is put in charge of the manhunt and given his choice of five agents. He picks Davis, a decision that later pays dividends when Davis pushes him out the way and takes a bullet meant for him. Davis ends up in the hospital (where Kay is a nurse) for his shoulder wound. When Jean is brought in for questioning, Davis learns she is now married to Collins (Barton MacLane
Barton MacLane
Barton MacLane was an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. Although he has appeared in many classic films from the 1930s through the 1960s, he was known for his role as Gen...
), one of the crooks. She inadvertently lets slip that the gang is hiding out at MacKay's lodge (against MacKay's will). In the ensuing wild shootout, Davis kills MacKay, who was being used as a human shield. Before he dies, MacKay forgives his distraught friend.
Only Collins gets away. He kidnaps Kay to use as a hostage. Jean finds out where he is hiding and telephones Davis, only to be killed in cold blood by her husband. Davis sneaks inside and rescues Kay. Collins is shot to death by McCord as he tries to drive away.
Cast
- James CagneyJames CagneyJames Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
as James "Brick" Davis - Margaret LindsayMargaret LindsayMargaret Lindsay was an American film actress. Her time as a Warner Bros. contract player during the 1930s was particularly productive...
as Miss Kay McCord - Ann DvorakAnn DvorakAnn Dvorak was an American film actress.Asked how to pronounce her adopted surname, she told The Literary Digest: "My name is properly pronounced vor'shack. The D remains silent...
as Jean Morgan Collins - Robert ArmstrongRobert Armstrong (actor)Robert Armstrong was an American film actor best remembered for his role as Carl Denham in the 1933 version of King Kong by RKO Pictures. He uttered the famous exit quote, "'Twas beauty killed the beast," at the film's end...
as Jeffrey "Jeff" McCord - Barton MacLaneBarton MacLaneBarton MacLane was an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. Although he has appeared in many classic films from the 1930s through the 1960s, he was known for his role as Gen...
as Brad Collins - Lloyd NolanLloyd NolanLloyd Benedict Nolan was an American film and television actor.-Biography:Nolan was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Margaret and James Nolan, who was a shoe manufacturer...
as Hugh Farrell - William Harrigan as "Mac" MacKay
- Russell HoptonRussell HoptonRussell Hopton was an American film actor. He appeared in 110 films between 1926 and 1945.He was born in New York, New York and died of an overdose of sleeping pills in North Hollywood, California....
as Gerard - Edward PawleyEdward PawleyEdward Joel Pawley was an American actor of radio, films and Broadway. The full name on his birth certificate is Edward Joel Stone Pawley, however, he never used the Stone name. It derived from a Stone family in Illinois.At maturity, Pawley was 5'-10" tall with thick black hair and blue eyes...
as Danny Leggett - Noel MadisonNoel MadisonNoel Madison was an American character actor in the 1930s and '40s and appeared in 75 films, often as a gangster.-Partial filmography:*Sinners' Holiday *Little Caesar *Play-Girl...
as Durfee - Monte BlueMonte BlueMonte Blue was a movie actor who began his career as a romantic leading man in the silent film era, and later progressed to character roles....
as Fingerprint Expert - Regis ToomeyRegis ToomeyJohn Regis Toomey was an American film and television actor.-Early life:Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was one of four children of Francis X. and Mary Ellen Toomey and attended Peabody High School...
as Edward "Eddie" Buchanan
The movie and the FBI
The struggles faced by Brick Davis mirror a public image that was being carefully cultivated for the FBI during the war on crime, particularly by J. Edgar HooverJ. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
. Not only was Davis incorruptible, for example, but he had a law degree at a time when police work was usually learned on-the-job. The FBI opened its training academy the same year G Men was released, and claimed that it recruited college graduates. Although Hoover did not directly serve as an advisor to G Men, as his power and independence from his political superiors grew over time, he became more overtly involved in cultural offerings that promoted his agency, including comic strips and radio dramas.