City for Conquest

1940

City for Conquest

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Reviews Counted: 5

76%
liked it

Audience Score

User Ratings: 572

TOMATOMETER

N/A
All Critics | Top Critics
Average Rating: N/A
Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

AUDIENCE SCORE

76%
Average Rating: 3.8/5

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Movie Info

This filmization of Aben Kandel's novel City for Conquest stars James Cagney as a truck driver-turned-boxer. As Cagney rises to the top in the ring, his ex-girlfriend Ann Sheridan forms a dance act with Anthony Quinn. Blinded during a fight by acid-tinged boxing gloves, Cagney tries to exact revenge on the gangster who arranged the "accident," but is wounded in the melee. Now physically handicapped as well as visually challenged, Cagney becomes the manager of a New York newsstand through the kindness of his former manager Donald Crisp. Cagney uses his earnings to finance the musical education of his violinist brother Arthur Kennedy. Years later, a jilted Sheridan is reunited with Cagney at his newsstand, as both of them listen to the radio debut of Kennedy's first symphony. Upon its reissue in 1948, the film then ends abruptly (as do several preceding scenes) in order to fit a 98 minute running time; the original 1940 release ran 106 minutes.
  • Rating:
    NR
  • Genre:
    Classics, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Anatole Litvak
  • Written By:
    John Wexley
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

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Cast

James Cagney
as Danny Kenny
Ann Sheridan
as Peggy Nash
Arthur Kennedy
as Eddie Kenny
Donald Crisp
as Scotty MacPherson
Frank Craven
as Old Timer
Frank McHugh
as Mutt
George Tobias
as Pinky
Blanche Yurka
as Mrs. Nash
Elia Kazan
as Googi
Anthony Quinn
as Murray Burns
Bob Steele
as Callahan
George Lloyd
as Goldie
Jerome Cowan
as Dutch
Lee Patrick
as Gladys
Joyce Compton
as Lilly
Thurston Hall
as Max Leonard
Maggie Hayes
Howard Hickman
Ben Welden
as Cobb
Edward Keane
as Gaul
John Arledge
as Salesman
Selmer Jackson
as Doctor
Joseph Crehan
as Doctor
Billy Wayne
as Henchman
Pat Flaherty
as Floor Guard
Sidney Miller
as M.C.
Ethelreda Leopold
as Dressing room blonde
Lee Phelps
as Ring Announcer
Charles C. Wilson
as Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight
Edward Gargan
as Joe - Foreman
Murray Alper
as Taxi Driver
Dick Wessel
as Cab Driver by Fire
Bernice Pilot
as Della - Peggy's Maid
Charles Lane
as Al - Dance Team Manager
Selmar Jackson
as Doctor
Margaret Hayes
as Sally - Irene's Friend
Edward Pawley
William Newell
as Max's Lyricist
Lucia Carroll
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Critic Reviews for City for Conquest

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2)

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for City for Conquest

Ann Sheridan is on a quest for fame and fortune. Jimmy Cagney is on a quest for Ann Sheridan. A terrific little rags to riches to rags story replete with music and boxing and a dancing Anthony Quinn.

Randy Tippy
Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

I love these old boxer movies, Cagney is perfect for this part too. I loved this movie it's really dramatic and exciting. I highly recommend it.

Aj V
Aj V

Super Reviewer

½

When you think of James Cagney, your thoughts might gravitate towards some of his movies like Public Enemy, White Heat or Yankee Doodle Dandy, right? You never hear anyone gush over City for Conquest. Reason being its a flat, dull and dragged out tale of slum kids following their dreams and blah blah blah. Cagney plays the likable tough guy, Ann Sheridan plays his (asshole) girl and Arthur Kennedy plays Cagney's kid brother. Oddest thing is that City for Conquest is the kind of movie that's right up my alley but it was so unengaging and drab that by the time the tragedy hit I didn't care. Seeing a young Anthony Quinn and Elia Kazan was kind of amusing but once Cagney's character goes blind (I didn't blow anything the synopsis above didn't so don't get mad for the lack of spoiler alert...) he's just really creepy. And the whole ageless bum thing was just dumb.

Michael Gildea
Michael Gildea

Super Reviewer

One for the sentimentalists -- like me : ) Almost an unhappy ending, but they manage to pull it out. One of Cagney's "softer" roles, demonstrating his versatility. Sheridan is okay as the love almost lost, but her energy level struggles to keep up with Cagney's. A wonderful supporting job by many, and especially so for Elia Kazan as Googie Zucco. Perhaps best of all is the remarkable soundtrack that is powerfully reminiscent of Gershwin.

Lanning : )
Lanning : )

Super Reviewer

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