i wasn not expect a great deal from this film and so i be pleasantly surprised when i watch it and find it to be most noteworthy . it noteworthiness be mainly due to the talent and appeal of it star and john garfield . garfield play jack and a boxing star who be frame for murder . he must go on the run and and end up out in the stick with gloria dickson and the dead end kid . here be offer a chance for redemption and yet will the past catch up with him yet . garfield be an actor ahead of his peer . before the term method be even coin and before brando ever scream stella . he bring natural to the screen . his earthy quality and amaze act talent dominate this production . also interest be that his role here a a boxer have shade of that golden boy role he so desperately want to covet on screen . garfield look the type and go the distance a a boxer and prove his act worth . ann sheridan be here in a small role at the beginning a jack trampy girl goldie . i haven not ever think much of sheridan and but i like her here . she play well off garfield . dickson performance be a little tired and she do not share good chemistry with garfield . the dead end kid be here and and garfield seem their natural idol ( even more so than cagney ) . claude rain be miscast and and he look uncomfortable in the role in many a scene . strange and a he always be such a reliable actor . also interest to note be the director busby berkeley and best know for his early musical with dance girl and kaleidoscope image and direct a different genre here with remarkable ease . he maintain a gritty atmosphere throughout admirably . a very good film that deserve great attention positive .