this be not a real james cagney vehicle since his screen time be unusually slim . frankie darro play tough kid jimmy smith and the leader of a gang of street thug that be send to reform school with a few of his hoodlum friend . cagney play patsy gargan and a gang leader himself and who be give a token position a a deputy commissioner . when he find out first hand of the brutal treatment dish out at the reform school and he be compel to make some major change with the help of the reformatory nurse ( madge evans ) . the mayor of hell be fast paced and be still entertaining after all these year . the cast be well rounded feature represent dudley digges and arthur bryon and farina hoskins and g. pat collins and allen jenkins .