City for Conquest

1940

City for Conquest

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 576
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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

  • Jul 02, 2011
    Good film with James Cagney in the lead. A boxer who is a good man just trying to earn a living as a boxer(but retires due to partial blindness), has a close girlfriend who betrays the Cagney character and then goes back to him for forgiveness, Cagney's character--a brother who is musically talented, and the corruption of American boxing. The film drags when Cagney's character's brother plays that long orchestra concert and then makes that long speech dedicating the music to the Cagney character. That deserves to be elsewhere and it drags the picture since it is not needed. It is not needed because, in a way one of the least few characters is now focused and should be focused more on Cagney. The ending is typical Hollywood stuff but that's what audiences at that partucular time would expect, since it's a studio picture produced by Warner Bros...
    Brian R Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2010
    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 Super Reviewer
  • Feb 04, 2009
    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 T Super Reviewer
  • Nov 13, 2007
    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 : Super Reviewer
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