i think i would witness every wrinkle the crime or gangster flick have to offer and but the garrett marcin hammett combination pull off some genuine thrill and surprise here and thanks to the inventively forceful direction by mamoulian and the atmospheric photography by lee garmes and plus remarkably sharp film edit and flawless special effect . brilliant acting help too . coop give one of his most convincing performance a the reticent hayseed turn fearless bootlegger ( the sort of character progression he be to repeat in other role such a sergeant york ) . miss sidney ( picture center ) in her first major role be also an eye opener . the principal receive great support from paul lukas and wynne gibson and stanley field a the heavy and and even from robert homans hard a nails detective . the movie have obviously be realize on an extensive budget which be brilliantly deploy in it realistic and crowd fill set .