some find this film schmaltzy and simple . saroyan fan will find it aptly relects the beauty find in the human condition . the way joe relate to the various character and cause them to easily open the heart and souls seem contrive today and perhaps seem that way even in the late 40 and but i suspect saroyan be not particularly interested in realism . like all of his work and this movie be a study of the hope and dream and and love of the little guy and his struggle to maintain them against the harsh light of human reality . cagney positvely glow throughout the performance and bendix have never be good cast . paul draper a the tap danciing comedian be absolutley brilliant in an extremley quirky roll . ( interestlingly someone comment that they be suprised that this movie wasn not blacklist and draper ( accord tot he imdb bio ) be be an international star in the 1930 and 1940 who career effectively succumb to the anti communist hysteria that exist in the u. s. after world war ii and when he be blacklist out of the entertainment industry a a communist sympathizer . it say a lot about james cagney that this be the first film his production company choose to produce . if you can set aside your cynicism and view these character in a slightly metaphorical light and saraoyan writing will leave your heart with a soft warm glow and and the joy of watch character actor work in a simple setting with no action and lot of dialogue may lead you to suspect that the entire cast be have the time of their life .