Great Guy (1936) in Color — Starring James Cagney & Mae Clarke

Great Guy (1936) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy Great Guy (1936) in color — James Cagney at his feisty, conviction-driven best in this punchy crime drama, now professionally restored and colorized in stunning HD. This classic film is available for instant digital download at just €15.00, DRM-free, so you can enjoy it on any device, anytime.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Great Guy (1936) is a rare window into a pivotal moment in James Cagney’s career — his very first film after leaving Warner Bros. in a bold contract dispute, made entirely on his own terms. Cagney plays Johnny “Red” Cave, a former prizefighter turned government inspector who fights corrupt food industry racketeers with the same fire and intensity he once brought to the boxing ring. Watching this classic film come alive in vibrant color adds an entirely new sense of electricity and period detail to the film’s Depression-era streets, tenement markets, and back-office confrontations.

Originally filmed in black and white, Great Guy has now been professionally restored and colorized using modern frame-by-frame digital technology. Every detail — from the dusty market stalls and government inspection offices to Cagney’s sharp suit and Mae Clarke’s warm screen presence — has been meticulously brought to vivid life while honoring every moment of the original production. The colorized version gives this long-overlooked gem the visual punch it has always deserved.

When you purchase Great Guy (1936) in color from AlwanFilm, you receive:

• A professionally restored and colorized HD print
• Instant digital download — no waiting, no shipping
• DRM-free file — play it on your TV, laptop, tablet, or phone
• Lifetime access to your purchase

Technical Details

| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Title | Great Guy (1936) Colorized |
| Director | John G. Blystone |
| Starring | James Cagney, Mae Clarke, James Burke |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery |
| Runtime | 66 minutes |
| IMDb Rating | ★ 6.3/10 |
| Original Format | Black and White |
| Colorized Format | HD Digital |
| File Format | MP4 / MKV |
| Price | €15.00 |
| Delivery | Instant Digital Download |
| DRM | DRM-Free |

Cast & Crew

• James Cagney as Johnny “Red” Cave
• Mae Clarke as Janet Henry
• James Burke as Patrick “Pat” Haley
• Edward Brophy as Pete Reilly
• Henry Kolker as Abel Canning
• Robert Gleckler as Marty Cavanaugh
• Edward Gargan as Henchman Al
• Director: John G. Blystone

Plot Summary

Johnny “Red” Cave (James Cagney) is a tough former boxer who has traded his gloves for a government badge, working as a Bureau of Weights and Measures inspector. Determined to protect ordinary working-class consumers from corrupt merchants and the powerful food industry racketeers led by Abel Canning (Henry Kolker), Johnny approaches his work with the same relentless aggression he once used in the ring. It makes him enormously popular with the public — and enormously dangerous to organized crime.

As Johnny presses his investigation forward, pressure mounts from every direction. His superiors urge caution and compromise. The syndicate issues threats and sets traps. Only his loyal partner Pat Haley (James Burke) and devoted sweetheart Janet Henry (Mae Clarke) fully believe in him. When the racketeers’ reach extends to endangering innocent lives, Johnny must confront the syndicate head-on — badge in hand, fists ready, alone.

Cagney is magnetic throughout, channeling the scrappy underdog determination that made him a Depression-era idol. Mae Clarke — who had famously shared a grapefruit with Cagney in The Public Enemy (1931) — is warmly effective as Janet. Director John G. Blystone matches Cagney’s tempo with brisk pacing and sharply staged confrontations, making Great Guy a satisfying blend of social drama and hard-hitting action entertainment.

Historical Significance

Great Guy (1936) holds a distinctive place in Hollywood history as James Cagney’s first independent production, co-founding Grand National Films after years of bitter wage disputes with Warner Bros. It was a virtually unprecedented act of creative independence in the rigid 1930s studio system. The film proudly wore its social conscience on its sleeve, putting an honest public servant at the centre of the story rather than the glamorous gangster roles for which Cagney had become famous.

The subject matter — consumer fraud, price-fixing, and food adulteration — was no mere backdrop. These were genuine public scandals during the Depression era, and Great Guy tapped directly into widespread public anger at powerful interests preying on ordinary people. The film remains a fascinating document of its time, combining pure entertainment with a pointed social message that feels surprisingly modern even today.

This classic movie is also available in colour for international viewers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is the colorization done?
The original black and white print is restored frame-by-frame using advanced digital colorization software. Historical research guides the color choices for costumes, sets, and street scenes to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

Is this the original 1936 film?
Yes. This is the original Great Guy (1936) directed by John G. Blystone — not a remake. Colorization adds color while preserving the original audio, dialogue, and all scenes completely intact.

Is this a DRM-free digital download?
Yes. Your purchase of Great Guy (1936) Colorized is completely DRM-free. Download it once and keep it forever — no internet connection required to watch.

What devices can I watch this on?
The HD file plays on any modern device: smart TV, laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Compatible with VLC, Windows Media Player, and all major media players.

How quickly will I receive my download?
Instantly. As soon as your payment is confirmed, your download link is available. No shipping, no waiting.

Related Colorized Classics

• Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
• The Public Enemy (1931)
• White Heat (1949)
• The Roaring Twenties (1939)
• One, Two, Three (1961)