Performance & Direction: Great Guy Review
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Great Guy (1936) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Great Guy features a noteworthy lineup led by James Cagney . Supported by the likes of Mae Clarke and James Burke , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Great Guy
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1936, Great Guy is a Crime, Drama, Mystery film directed by John G. Blystone. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving James Cagney.
Ending Explained: Great Guy
Ending Breakdown: Directed by John G. Blystone, Great Guy concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving James Cagney, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Great Guy reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Great Guy Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Great Guy incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, mystery film directed by John G. Blystone, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for James Cagney's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Great Guy adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Great Guy?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of James Cagney or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: Great Guy
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Where to Watch Great Guy Online?
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Amazon VideoFlixFlingGreat Guy Parents Guide & Age Rating
1936 AdvisoryWondering about Great Guy age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Great Guy is 66 minutes (1h 6m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Great Guy is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1936 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Guy worth watching?
Great Guy is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Great Guy parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Great Guy identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Great Guy?
The total duration of Great Guy is 66 minutes, which is approximately 1h 6m long.
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How Great Guy Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Great Guy
A pretty routine B-noir with James Cagney as a fella from the sexily titled "Bureau of Weights & Measures" who decides to take a stand against extortion and corruption. He faces the usual threats, frame-ups as he rales against the rigged institutional infrastructure lead by a dodgy city councillor (Robert Gleckler). It's nothing special this - a vehicle for a star given precious little to work with but just about enough to fill the hour as we move towards an inevitable conclusion. It's quite a busy little film, and though limited, the dialogue helps to carry it along swiftly. Not one of Cagney's better efforts, but by no means his worst, either...
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
