Great Guy (1936): Cast & Plot
Great Guy is a 1936 crime drama directed by John G. Blystone, starring James Cagney as Johnny 'Red' Cave, Robert Gleckler and Harry Tenbrook. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- John G. Blystone
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Grand National Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Great Guy About?
The premise of Great Guy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
SINGLE HANDED- HE BATTLED A NEW KIND OF PUBLIC ENEMY! A meat inspector sets out to rid his town of payoff deals affecting the quality of meat being sold to the public.
Great Guy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- deception
- political corruption
- fiance fiancee relationship
- former prizefighter
- bureau of weights and measures
- corrupt mayor
- political power
- engagement ring
- installment buying
- on again off again girlfriend
- furniture
- incriminating evidence
+38 more Show fewer
- bribery refusal
- reprisal
- political chicanery
- long engagement
- furniture store
- impersonation
- imposture
- marriage proposal
- bank book
- bank account
- loyal secretary
- cheating the public
- corrupt alderman
- vindication
- newspaper headline
- stolen evidence
- last minute rescue
- cafeteria
- grocery store
- chicken
- basket of strawberries
- five pounds of sugar
- furniture salesman
- meat counter
- henchman
- party guest
- spinache
- organized crime
- lead weight
- gangster
- knock down punch
- apple pie
- injured in a car crash
- fraud
- job promotion
- begins with a disclaimer
- gift wrapped present
- offered a promotion
Great Guy Cast & Characters
James Cagney leads the cast as Johnny 'Red' Cave, with Robert Gleckler as Marty Cavanaugh and Harry Tenbrook as Joe (Uncredited). Directed by John G. Blystone; 52 actors are credited in all.
- Director John G. Blystone
-
James Cagney as Johnny 'Red' Cave - Robert Gleckler as Marty Cavanaugh
- Harry Tenbrook as Joe (Uncredited)
- Wallis Clark as Joel Green
Also Starring in Great Guy
· 48 more- James Burke Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
- Mae Clarke Janet Henry
- Henry Kolker Abel Canning
- Joe Sawyer Joe Burton
- Edward Brophy Pete Reilly
- Frank O'Connor Detective (Uncredited)
- Lester Dorr Canning's Chauffeur (Uncredited)
- Mary Gordon Mrs. Ogilvie
- Frank Mills Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Edmund Mortimer Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre Sugar Clerk (Uncredited)
- Eddy Chandler Meat Clerk (Uncredited)
- Dennis O'Keefe Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Edward Gargan Henchman Al
- John Dilson City Editor (Uncredited)
- Arthur Hoyt Furniture Salesman (Uncredited)
Show all 52 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Lee Shumway Mike (Uncredited)
- Gertrude Astor Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Lynton Brent Reporter (Uncredited)
- Bud Geary Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Jim Farley Police Desk Sergeant (Uncredited)
- Bobby Barber Grocery Clerk (Uncredited)
- Douglas Wood Mayor
- Henry Roquemore Mr. Grady (Uncredited)
- Ethelreda Leopold Burton's Girlfriend (Uncredited)
- Kernan Cripps Deputy (Uncredited)
- Bruce Mitchell Policeman at Accident (Uncredited)
- Robert Lowery Mr. Parker (Uncredited)
- Jack Perry Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Jack Pennick Truck Driver (Uncredited)
- William J. O'Brien Meat Clerk (Uncredited)
- Ben Hendricks Jr. Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Al Herman Deputy Marks (Uncredited)
- Murdock MacQuarrie Mr. Marvin (Uncredited)
- Kate Price Woman at Accident (Uncredited)
- Wally Maher Gas Station Attendant (Uncredited)
- Jane Keckley Cafeteria Customer (Uncredited)
- Bernadene Hayes Hazel Scott
- Carlton Griffin Deputy (Uncredited)
- Jack Byron Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Sammy Blum Party Chef (Uncredited)
- Matty Fain Henchman Tim
- Edward McNamara Captain Pat Hanlon
- James Ford Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Dick Scott Deputy (Uncredited)
- Hugh Chapman Boy (Uncredited)
- Patrick Cunning Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Gertrude Green Nurse (Uncredited)
More from John G. Blystone
More films directed by John G. Blystone: Block-Heads, Swiss Miss, Music for Madame and Woman Chases Man.
Great Guy Plot Summary
What happens in Great Guy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
After the near-fatal car accident engineered by the corrupt politician Marty Cavanaugh, Johnny Cave, James Cagney takes over leadership of the Department of Weights and Measures and immediately sets a hard line against graft. He learns from Joe Green, the chief deputy, that there are higher powers in the city’s racketeering web than Cavanaugh, and that corruption remains a constant hazard for anyone who tries to clean up the system. As the new head, he reinforces to his team the vital role of their department and the unwavering need to root out deceit, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
Full summary
The whole story of Great Guy, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Great Guy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What government department does Johnny Cave lead?
Cars in Great Guy
4 cars on screen, including the 1935 Ford V8 and the 1933 Ford V8 De Luxe.
-
1935 Ford V8 Important role -
1933 Ford V8 De Luxe Important role -
1928 Checker Model K Background role -
unknown Background role
Great Guy Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Pluck of the Irish” and “El gran tipo”.
- Also known as
-
- Pluck of the Irish
- El gran tipo
- Классный парень
- Pugno di ferro
- Un gran tipus
Seen Great Guy?
Movies Like Great Guy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mr. Nice Guy, The Great Gambler and Best Seller.
Great Guy FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Great Guy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Great Guy?
Great Guy runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was Great Guy released?
Great Guy was released on December 1, 1936.
Who directed Great Guy?
Great Guy was directed by John G. Blystone.
More films by John G. Blystone Who is in the cast of Great Guy?
Great Guy stars James Cagney as Johnny 'Red' Cave, Robert Gleckler as Marty Cavanaugh and Harry Tenbrook as Joe (Uncredited), among 52 credited actors.
Does Great Guy have a post-credit scene?
No. Great Guy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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