The Doorway to Hell

Take the film's word for it that the fresh-faced Lew Ayres A) possesses the sheer presence to scare the entire Chicago underworld into line, and (B) is already weary of it, and you have... a slow but decently written and acted hour and change whose heart, like its protagonist's, is often not really in it. It does paint a certain scene that will be expanded upon shortly; lovers of which will perhaps find more interest in contemplating the future prospects of our right-hand-man, one James Cagney.