CinemaSerf

A pretty routine B-noir with James Cagney as a fella from the sexily titled "Bureau of Weights & Measures" who decides to take a stand against extortion and corruption. He faces the usual threats, frame-ups as he rales against the rigged institutional infrastructure lead by a dodgy city councillor (Robert Gleckler). It's nothing special this - a vehicle for a star given precious little to work with but just about enough to fill the hour as we move towards an inevitable conclusion. It's quite a busy little film, and though limited, the dialogue helps to carry it along swiftly. Not one of Cagney's better efforts, but by no means his worst, either...