Lady Killer

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Lady Killer

Released Dec 1, 1933

1h 16m

Comedy

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4 Reviews

71%

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250+ Ratings

After theater usher Dan Quigley (James Cagney) is conned by a band of clever criminals led by Spade Maddock (Douglass Dumbrille), he decides he's in the wrong business. He joins the gang and rises in the ranks, showing a natural flair for crime. But, after the police get smart to his capers, Quigley heads for Los Angeles. There, a Hollywood executive sees star potential in the usher-turned-criminal, and Quigley flourishes in movies -- until the old hoods get wind of his whereabouts.

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Fun film is absolutely loaded with plot and fast paced zing.

Dec 27, 2018

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David Cornelius

DVDTalk.com

A fully satisfying, if totally manic, joyride.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 5, 2008

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Cagney is his usual cocky screen self in Lady Killer, a movie that starts light and gets even lighter as it goes along.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 28, 2008

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A crisp James Cagney comedy vehicle.

Rated: C+

Jan 1, 2000

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Audience Member

The best comedy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Great Jimmy Cagney crime-drama. An usher at a theatre, Dan Quigley (played by Jimmy Cagney), sees a chance to make some easy, though not legal, money by falling in with a gang of con artists and crooks. Things go fine until one robbery involves violence. He skips out to Los Angeles and finds himself an actor in the movie business. However, past is not far behind... On the surface a crime-drama, yet it is more than that. It is quite funny too. There are some great lines, generally delivered by Cagney, and many laugh-out-loud moments. The drama is great too: interesting, engaging, fast-moving plot. This is the type of role Jimmy Cagney was born to play, and play very well. A wise-cracking hard-nosed character who'll take any opportunity to get ahead. He plays the tough guy to perfection (hell, he invented the character-type!), delivers his one-liners with aplomb and doesn't put a foot wrong. Good support from Mae Clarke, Margaret Lindsay and several others. Great movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

This isn't the best James Cagney film, but is good enough to watch for some memorable scenes and good acting from Mae Clark and Cagney himself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

I just loved James Cagney's performance here--it really shows well the different charismatic facets he had that guaranteed him film superstardom. The charm, the comedy and the sheer force of nature really come through here. The scene of him dragging Mae Clarke by the hair through two rooms is amazing! A heartily recommended sleeper of a film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Excellent Cagney classic, fast paced and great fun!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

I'm always game to see anything with James Cagney in it, but was still surprised at how good this one was. It's definitely a crime film, but doesn't need a bunch of gunplay to be entertaining. It even has some intended humor that made it all the more likeable!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Roy Del Ruth

Director

James Cagney

Dan Quigley

Mae Clarke

Myra Gale

Leslie Fenton

Duke

Margaret Lindsay

Lois Underwood

Henry O'Neill

Ramick

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Synopsis

After theater usher Dan Quigley (James Cagney) is conned by a band of clever criminals led by Spade Maddock (Douglass Dumbrille), he decides he's in the wrong business. He joins the gang and rises in the ranks, showing a natural flair for crime. But, after the police get smart to his capers, Quigley heads for Los Angeles. There, a Hollywood executive sees star potential in the usher-turned-criminal, and Quigley flourishes in movies -- until the old hoods get wind of his whereabouts.

Director: Roy Del Ruth
Screenwriter: Ben Markson, Lillie Hayward
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 1933, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 16m

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