Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

peterdowling James Cagney demonstrates his versatility as an actor in this charming pre-code classic.When one thinks of James Cagney, they almost always think of his roles as a gangster, or as a dancer. While the former may, to some degree, describe his role in this picture, the character is not your typical Cagney.Cagney plays the commissioner of a reform school, who sees an opportunity to improve the lives of the juvenile offenders whom society has turned its back on. He gives a brilliant performance, appearing particularly sensitive for one of his 'tough guy' characters; one feels a genuine sense of caring for the downtrodden youngsters.The youngsters themselves could be described as the main stars of the picture, particularly Frankie Darro, who delivers a very powerful performance.Though the plot itself is rather simplistic, particularly in dealing with complex themes regarding criminal reform, the outstanding acting carries the film with flair. Furthermore, the direction, allegedly handled in part by Michael Curtiz, is another highlight; great suspense is created in several scenes, most notably the final climax of the film, making for a particularly memorable viewing experience.The Mayor of Hell is yet another forgotten pre-code classic waiting to be rediscovered.

Antonius Block Don't let the overly sensationalized title put you off of this one, which is about a gang of young toughs all sentenced to a reform school, where they suffer mistreatment until James Cagney improbably shows up to run the show. Cagney befriends the nurse (Madge Evans), but clashes with the strict warden (Dudley Digges), who does not approve of their ideas to give the kids more freedom and the chance to govern themselves. Cagney has further trouble in that he's a gangster himself, trying to keep his 'racket' under control while he spends time at the school.Cagney has such charisma and his presence carries the movie, but there are also fine performances from Frankie Darro (the leader of the kids), Digges, and Arthur Byron (a thoughtful judge), among others (and including all those child actors). It's fun to hear all the 'tough talk' and slang from the 30's, and the scenes early on with the kids are enjoyable. The film's message, to paraphrase Cagney's character, is that you have to take a firm hand with kids or they'll walk all over you, but on the other hand, they're just kids, and behave better when shown a little love and respect. The action gets a little melodramatic as the film progresses, and the simplistic and somewhat horrifying ending isn't great, but all in all it's an entertaining film.

AaronCapenBanner Archie Mayo and Michael Curtiz co-directed this effective social drama that stars Jimmy Cagney as reformed juvenile delinquent gangster Patsy Gargan, who, as a result of a political favor, is appointed Deputy Commissioner of the state reformatory for trouble youth, where he discovers that it is run by callous and corrupt Thompson(played by Dudley Diggs). Patsy is determined to initiate reforms to help the kids there(he sympathizes because they remind him of himself) but Thompson fights back, getting Patsy removed from his position, but the inmates refuse to lose the reforms put through, and rebel, forcing Patsy to return to prevent a tragedy... Well-directed and acted film is quite compelling as well, overcoming the melodramatic nature of the plot.

Neil Doyle JAMES CAGNEY gets top billing in THE MAYOR OF HELL but it's really little tough guy FRANKIE DARRO who has the central role of a boy from the slums who lands in a reform school run by a ruthless warden (DUDLEY DIGGES) interested only in punishing the boys while he cooks the books. Darro makes quite an impression with his hostile looks, locking glances with the warden at every turn with eyes blazing with hatred.It takes the entrance of Cagney to change things around, an ex- gangster who has been deputized to help run things at the reformatory and who sympathizes with the plights of the boys, especially Darro who reminds him of his own tough days as a street punk. JAMES CAGNEY puts all of his usual energy into the role of the do-gooder who changes things around, along with cooperative Nurse Griffith (MADGE EVANS), and is there when the going gets tough and things revert back to their nasty ways during his brief absence.The last half-hour of the film gets a little too melodramatic as the kids take matters into their own hands after the warden causes the death of one of their fellow inmates. There's a climactic scene where they put him on trial. When he escapes their clutches by jumping out a window, a chase follows and a barn is burned down forcing him to jump to his death. The plot contrivances that follow are hard to swallow, but for Jimmy and Madge Evans at least there's a happy ending.ALLEN JENKINS is a welcome presence for comic relief but the tone of the film borders on heavy prison melodrama almost all the way.DUDLEY DIGGES plays the unsympathetic role of the sadistic warden fairly well, but I still think of him as the befuddled detective who has a hard time pinning down RAFFLES (Ronald Colman) in that Scotland Yard yarn.For Cagney fans, this is a glimpse of him at his talented best in an early role. Archie Mayo directs the project in his brisk, no nonsense Warner style.