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Picture Snatcher

Play trailer Poster for Picture Snatcher 1933 1h 16m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
After being released from prison, former gangster Danny Kean (James Cagney) decides to reform, getting a job as a newspaper photographer. He falls for Patricia (Patricia Ellis), but she is the daughter of Lt. Nolan (Robert Emmett O'Connor), a policeman who knows Kean's shady past. When Kean covertly photographs an execution, Nolan gets into trouble, which pits both father and daughter against Kean. He must then use his street smarts to find a big story in order to redeem himself in their eyes.
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Picture Snatcher

Critics Reviews

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Pare Lorentz Vanity Fair 06/14/2019
Loud, trivial, illogical comedy thrown together as an excuse for James Cagney to exhibit a series of tricks for the edification of taxi drivers, professional wrestlers, and college boys. Go to Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 06/03/2019
3/4
A rip-roaring, crackerjack, sort-of gangster picture in the best pre-code Warner Brothers tradition that has been long overlooked in favor of Cagney's more famous roles. Go to Full Review David Cornelius DVDTalk.com 04/05/2008
4.5/5
Like the best of these studio quickies, this one provides audiences with a little of everything, and the entertainment value is enormous. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/17/2014 good pre-code actioner See more 06/17/2013 As an ex-gangster trying to go straight in the newspaper biz, Cagney delivers another bold performance -- which is the main recommendation for 'Picture Snatcher'. Aside from its tabloid journalism hook, this is a pretty paint-by-numbers crime pic. See more 04/11/2013 it's all about cagney. this is what he does best See more 01/21/2013 Cagney steals the show yet again with a fantastic performance. Unfortunately, the film's plot was poorly designed (like many movies of the era): the plot doesn't know exactly where to go, so it goes too many places. If nothing else, entertaining. See more 06/19/2012 A great energetic performance from James Cagney as an ex-con gangster who decides to go 'legit' by becoming a tabloid paper photographer. With his wits and connections, he is able to get in and around the places that other papers would never dare. At a fast paced 76 minute runtime, it's pretty amazing what they got crammed into the plot, but that's what they did best back in those days. See more 05/19/2011 I watched this film for the first time yesterday. It's a film that I think all of you guys will enjoy. James Cagney is a sure delight in this role...Njoy!!! See more Read all reviews
Picture Snatcher

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Cast & Crew

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Lloyd Bacon

Director

James Cagney

Danny Kean

Patricia Ellis

Patricia "Pat" Nolan

Alice White

Allison

Ralph Bellamy

J.R. "Al" McLean

Ralf Harolde

Jerry the Mug
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Picture Snatcher

Picture Snatcher (1933) Picture Snatcher (1933) Picture Snatcher (1933) Picture Snatcher (1933) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After being released from prison, former gangster Danny Kean (James Cagney) decides to reform, getting a job as a newspaper photographer. He falls for Patricia (Patricia Ellis), but she is the daughter of Lt. Nolan (Robert Emmett O'Connor), a policeman who knows Kean's shady past. When Kean covertly photographs an execution, Nolan gets into trouble, which pits both father and daughter against Kean. He must then use his street smarts to find a big story in order to redeem himself in their eyes.
Director
Lloyd Bacon
Producer
Raymond Griffith
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 26, 1933, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 16m
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