This isn’t a particularly uplifting narrative, but Humphrey Bogart and Joel McCrea both deliver strong performances in this bleak story depicting poverty and despair on New York's East Side. "Baby Face Martin"—whose nickname might be a little too generous—comes back to his old neighborhood hoping to reconnect with his mother and former girlfriend. His mother rejects him, and his ex, “Francie” (Claire Trevor), has fallen into prostitution and is facing a grim prognosis due to syphilis. Meanwhile, his friend "Dave" (McCrae), who’s trying to make it as an architect, finds himself torn between two women: the gentle but somewhat dull "Drina," and "Kay" (Wendy Barrie), who's already involved with a wealthy man. The pervasive sadness is heightened by the fact that this impoverished area sits in the shadow of luxurious apartments where affluent residents have moved to enjoy views of the East River. When Bogart resolves to reclaim his place in the community through an elaborate kidnapping scheme, he and his former friend unexpectedly find themselves on opposing sides. While there's a crime element present, it’s overshadowed by the obvious social commentary from Lillian Hellman’s screenplay, which openly highlights the sharp differences in living conditions—and death rates—between people who live just a short distance apart.

Source on TMDB