Chicago is portrayed as a city without rules, where rival gangs are locked in conflict over their illegal alcohol trade. "Louie" (Lew Ayres) recognizes this situation and seizes an opening by orchestrating a takeover with a combination of force and confidence, eventually becoming the leader who brings a period of stability to the criminal underworld. Following his marriage to “Doris” (Dorothy Matthews), he experiences a change of heart and decides to pass control onto his second-in-command, "Mileaway" (James Cagney), planning to retire peacefully. However, with Louie gone, the fragile peace begins to fall apart, forcing him to question whether he can truly leave his former life behind. I felt that Ayres delivered a strong performance; he brought a certain charm and appeal to the part, while also hinting at the strength and intimidation necessary to unite such volatile adversaries, despite the instability of the arrangement. Cagney was equally effective as Louie’s lieutenant and counterpart; Matthews offered more than just a standard decorative role, and the film possessed an underlying realism that I appreciated, even finding it surprisingly poignant near the end. The movie isn't shy about incorporating action sequences, including a notably thrilling prison break. It presents a compelling narrative centered on dependencies and the difficulties of overcoming them, with Tom Wilson providing memorable moments as “Big Shot Kelly,” who is never entirely reliable. I believe the eighty minutes were well spent.

Source on TMDB