Nick sitzt in der Klemme

If James Cagney had been in good health this would have been a good film. Even if he had to play the role in a wheelchair we would have seen the incredible Cagney bounce at work.

It's a nice story the rest of the cast gives good performances. But the whole time you're watching this, you're thinking of Jimmy Cagney dancing off the wall in Yankee Doodle Dandy or shooting it out on the run in the finale of The Roaring Twenties or even that non-stop frenetic pace of One Two Three. And to see him in this wheelchair barely able to say his dialog is painful to watch. I understand that Rich Little was brought in to dub what the microphone couldn't pick up.

No James Cagney fan should have to see this.

Funny how the Cary Grant "Judy Judy Judy" as well as James Cagney's "You Dirty Rat" became symbols of these legendary actors but neither uttered those words. Instead it was a standup comic's impression, the first being Larry Storch as Grant and the latter Frank Gorshin does Cagney's lines here, and it sounds NOTHING like him. Cagney himself is in such bad health he can hardly even move. RAGTIME was sad enough to see the once dynamic persona going through the motions but this mess should not have been made at all.

a reviewer here says the producers had a chance to let the real Cagney voice come through > I hope he meant that SOME of JG's warbling penetrated! geeesh!! another reason for my less than "10" review is that no one apparently thought enough to write in some funny business between Cagney and Carney > something! even if Art did his hesitation bit (signing a document, you remember).

having said all that > we have a fine film here, especially a Made-For-TV movie, back in the days when a good one was not really expected! a good script really counts, as two loners - estranged relatives who battle (one in the ring) and one (with herself and psychologically with her erratic boyfriend)distant - find that two are better than "one!! great location shooting adds to the interest and enjoyment.

I worked at the post-production house in new york city when this film was shot and edited. We saw the dailies of it as it was being shot and also worked on it while it was being edited. The entire film was completed with Cagney's actual (heavily stroke inflected) speaking voice. It was decided by the producers to replace the entire Cagney dialogue with Rich Little's impersonation. I can attest to the fact that the original film, with Cagney's own voice, was an excellent and powerful little film, that I would have given a rating of 10 stars to. Unfortunately, the really bad decision to dub Cagney's voice with this awful impersonation (which sounded like the voice in the old "Vlassic Pickles" TV commercials) pretty much ruined what would have been a memorable movie. I wish to this day I had somehow been able to obtain a copy of the original version! Still worth seeing as it is Cagney's last film, and Carney and Barkin are excellent. Basically though, another instance of too many producer-cooks ruining the stew.

This was a warm movie about real life. Cagney, Carney and Barkin did an outstanding job of portraying the great generation gap and how it CAN come together. Those who did not like this movie probably like a lot of violence and sex in movies.Those people are typical of this day and age...what a shame.

How do we buy a copy of this movie ? We have looked everywhere and it is not available - WHY ?????????