Review of The Mayor of Hell (1933) by Allan C — 18 Jul 2014

Juvenile delinquent social drama where early in the film a mother pleads to the court not to send her youngest son to reform school because her first son went there and "came out a murderer!" James Cagney plays a political machine appointee (a favor for delivering votes) who takes a genuine interest in reforming a juvenile prison.

There are some of the usual prison social reform film tropes, but there are also some unusual elements like Cagney being somewhat of a criminal who's acting the social reformer and also an ending that's absolutely unexpected and quite good.

Cagney is terrific as the criminal who makes amends for his criminal past. He's an actor who I often remember as a caricature, but he really is a dynamic performer and a captivating screen presence.

Directed by Archie Mayo with uncredited work by the great Michael Curtiz.