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Product Details
Ex-Golden Gloves fighter Danny Kenny has it all worked out. He'll turn pro to bankroll his brother's dream of writing a symphonic paean to the teeming city where they both live: New York. But life pulls the sidewalk out from under Danny when he's blinded during a brutal 15-round welterweight title bout. James Cagney plays Danny in this heart-tugging melodrama co-starring Ann Sheridan, Anthony Quinn, film-debuting Arthur Kennedy and in a rare acting turn before becoming a director, Elia Kazan. Among familiar studio players, there's an unbilled one: a vivid backlot and rear-screen Manhattan. "Sometimes we wonder," The New York Times' Bosley Crowther wrote, "whether it wasn't really the Warner brothers who got New York from the Indians, so diligent and devoted have they been in feeling the great city's pulse."
Product Reviews
 (5 stars) - inspiring movie
A very inspiring movie glorifying the one who joyfully overcomes obstacles, doesn't complain: is a victor and
not a victim. Excellent.
(5 stars) - Most Romantic Movie I've Ever Seen
I love sappy love stories. Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Titanic are magnificent films. But, this story is special to me. Cagney's undying devotion and love for Sheridan melts my heart. Ah what can I say but "You'll always be my girl". I've searched for over 25 years to find a copy of Steiner's magnificent New York Rhapsody, and just got it. I'm listening to it as I write this. Great, romantic movie. One of my favorites.
 (4 stars) - Cagney Makes the Film
City for Conquest is an ambitious film about New York City, based on a novel written in the late 30s. James Cagney is the quintessential New Yorker here, playing his characterization to the hilt, and to great affect.
Ann Sheridan is his "goil," who learns the meaning of love too late, but just in time. Though a decent hoofer (and a great cryer), Sheridan is saddled by her dance partner in the film, Anthony Quinn, who couldn't dance a lick. Thus, dance shots were at a distance or closeups of "stand-in" feet. Otherwise, Quinn was great as a greaseball "villain."
Cagney's portrayal of a (for the most part) blind man (near the end) is very well actualized. Could have done without the "Old Timer" narrator/character, played by Frank Craven, who annoyed more than informed, but he had his purpose. Cagney does his own fight scenes.
Extras include an interesting commentary, cartoons, and trailers
(5 stars) - Cagney in one of his best roles
James Cagney plays a fighter who's trying to impress his squeeze (Ann Sheridan) with his boxing ability, though she has some ambitions of her own, mainly a dancing career that partners her with the oily Anthony Quinn. Arthur Kennedy also appears (his debut in movies) as Cagney's brother, who dreams of writing long-hair symphonies one day but is busy now churning out pop tunes. When Cagney has success in the ring, he refuses to take back Sheridan, who also has success in her dancing career. Then the tide turns and Cagney is blinded in one of his fights and Sheridan also hits the skids. Only Kennedy has his dream come true: the final scene has Cagney and Sheridan listening to one of Kennedy's symphonies playing on the radio.
The script by John Wexley is excellent, and Anatole Litvak's direction is right on target. Cagney worked hard to get himself fighting trim, and he knows how to handle himself in the ring. As a sincere, emotionally forceful actor, Cagney is at his best in this picture. He is a true Hollywood craftsman. And, of course, Max Steiner's musical score adds points to the movies final production value. It's a winner all the way.
(5 stars) - Poetry in Motion
For me, "City For Conquest" is so honest in its emotion that I totally accept what others might call over-the-top melodramatics. It mirrors, on the outside, what most of us feel on the inside, especially in the dynamics of relationships. Think about those times when you were in love with someone and all the positives and negatives that were part of it; remember the emotional level you felt. Then see if you can feel that in the outward expression of this movie. The Max Steiner score is almost non-stop and punctuates each scene with an added flair of romanticism. The acting, especially by Ann Sheridan, is heartfelt.
My problem with the dvd version is that it's restored. Most of Frank Craven's "Greek Chorus" comments, though well placed in the context of the film, slows the rhythm and is totally superfluous. It adds nothing. The version, according to literature I have read, which we see on TCM or vhs tape, is the 1948 re-release edition which removed almost all of Frank Craven's scenes. I much prefer that version to the restored original although Craven's added scenes don't really hurt the heart of the movie.
If you are not afraid to feel and you embrace the unabashed romanticism of that era, "City For Conquest" is a must-see.
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