I would basically break this film down into three parts - the movie starts out as a story of independent New York City taxicab drivers up against the Consolidated Cab Company, who are using strong arm tactics to boot the independents out of business. Loretta Young is fine as pretty waitress Sue Riley whose dad Pop Riley (Guy Kibbee) shoots a man (hired by Consolidated) who wrecks his cab on purpose in an effort by Consolidated to take over Pop's corner taxi business. Second part of the film takes a sudden turn into a romance between Sue and independent cab driver Matt Nolan (played by James Cagney), a conceited tough guy with a very bad temper, a constant chip on his shoulder and an urge to hit everyone who does him the slightest wrong. They go double dating, necking at the movies, enter a fox trot dancing contest, and bicker over the fact that he just can't stop getting into fights with people. He even picks a fight with a man who steps on his foot in the elevator on their way up to get a marriage license. The worst part is, Nolan threatens to hit Sue in the face multiple times during the film - and she marries him anyway (what a dope she is!). The third part of this film starts at the "Cotton Pickers Club" where we see, if briefly, an interesting floor show/dance number followed soon after by the stabbing death of Nolan's brother after Nolan has a confrontation with a man from Consolidated who was behind the attempted takeover of Pop Riley's taxi corner.
I find this film to be pretty good, though the character of Sue does a number of things in this film I really question and not just limited to marrying a man who threatens violence often (and actually does slap her in the face in one scene). The film includes some interesting interior shots such as the seafood restaurant where Sue works (complete with revolving glass door, fish tanks and 85 cent trout), the Harlem nightclub, and also some of the outdoor street scenes. The best part of the film is the strong performance of James Cagney who is always so great playing a tough guy such as this. We even get to see him dancing in a few scenes - it's fun to watch as Cagney and Loretta Young swirl around the dance floor doing the fox trot and later Cagney does a very brief tap dance in the apartment doorway. I do also enjoy the performance of Leila Bennett as Sue's daffy gal pal Ruby, who adds a bit of humor and fun to the film.
I find this film to be pretty good, though the character of Sue does a number of things in this film I really question and not just limited to marrying a man who threatens violence often (and actually does slap her in the face in one scene). The film includes some interesting interior shots such as the seafood restaurant where Sue works (complete with revolving glass door, fish tanks and 85 cent trout), the Harlem nightclub, and also some of the outdoor street scenes. The best part of the film is the strong performance of James Cagney who is always so great playing a tough guy such as this. We even get to see him dancing in a few scenes - it's fun to watch as Cagney and Loretta Young swirl around the dance floor doing the fox trot and later Cagney does a very brief tap dance in the apartment doorway. I do also enjoy the performance of Leila Bennett as Sue's daffy gal pal Ruby, who adds a bit of humor and fun to the film.