ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

dukeakasmudge I was just flipping through the guide while looking for something to watch & came across this movie.I mainly watched it because of James Cagney (Of course) & the description sounded interesting.Picture Snatcher won't go down as 1 of my all time favorite movies but it's worth watching if you're a James Cagney fan or not.Even if you just like old movies then you'll probably enjoy it.Cagney plays the tough ex-con/mob guy type here but something about Picture Snatcher is different.I think it might be that Cagney starts off as an ex-con who goes straight while still playing a tough guy.The Cagney movies I'm use to are his gangster movies (I really need to watch some Cagney movies, other than his gangster flicks though) If you have a chance to watch Picture Snatcher, give it a shot.I don't think you'll be all that disappointed

funkyfry There's nothing hugely significant going on in this film, but it's a fun vehicle for James Cagney has him as a former hood who decides to "go straight" by working as a photographer for a sleazy tabloid. His boss, Ralph Bellamy, has a drinking problem and a woman problem (Alice White). He falls in love with a journalism student (Patricia Ellis), whose father happens to be the cop who sent him up the river to Sing Sing. After embarrassing the father (Robert Emmett O'Connor) by snatching a picture of an execution, Cagney and Bellamy must figure out a way to get back in his good graces and get hired at a real paper.Ellis is lovely, Cagney is full of fire, and although there's a few too many scenes of Cagney pushing White around, on the whole I thought it was a fun film with a lot of particularly amusing 1930s "slice of life" moments. Cagney plays his iconic character, a tough guy willing to compromise himself morally to get ahead, but this time he's less self-destructive and more the all-American go-getter. Very funny cameo with Sterling Holloway (as a nerdy journalism student), lots of interesting characterizations from lesser known performers like Ralf Harolde, who plays a "dirty rat" willing to expose his wife and children to danger to save himself. By no means a major classic, but will be a lot of fun for Cagney's fans.

wes-connors Freshly paroled from New York's "Sing Sing Prison", tough-guy James Cagney (as Daniel "Danny" Kean) takes a perfume bath and gets himself a new suit. After telling old gangster pals he's going straight, Mr. Cagney decides he wants a career in journalism. He approaches the tabloid "Graphic-News" for a job. Hard-drinking city editor Ralph Bellamy (as McLean) won't hire Cagney, but changes his mind when the ex-con delivers an exclusive picture for the newspaper. Cagney saves Mr. Bellamy's job and is hired as a staff photographer. Cagney arouses sexy staff reporter Alice White (as Allison), but later prefers pretty Patricia Ellis (as Patricia "Pat" Nolan)...Cagney struts around this second-tier feature like a first-rate star. He, director Lloyd Bacon, photographer Sol Polito, editor William Holmes and the Warner Bros. crew make punk look classy. The centerpiece is Cagney's assignment to photograph an electric chair execution. Also notable is the easy sex offered by a lone female co-worker. She puts the lonely staff ladies room to good use, but Cagney is a gentleman after discovering Ms. White is considered Bellamy's girl. Also watch for bookish bit-player Sterling Holloway and three beautiful young students. Based on a story by Danny Ahern, "Picture Snatcher" was re-made as "Escape from Crime" (1942).******* Picture Snatcher (5/6/33) Lloyd Bacon ~ James Cagney, Ralph Bellamy, Alice White, Patricia Ellis

mrb1980 Frantic, fast-paced film of ex-con Cagney getting a job at a local scandal sheet working for Bellamy and producing exclusive photographs for the paper. First he poses as an insurance adjuster to steal a photo, then through chicanery he manages to obtain a forbidden photo of a woman in the electric chair. Satisfying story conclusion has Cagney getting the girl and Bellamy playing the chump--again.This film moves like lightning, guided along by Cagney's seemingly inexhaustible energy. Lots of snappy dialog, great acting, and fine direction make this quite a little gem. Great 1930s feel, and watch quickly for Sterling Holloway (wearing outrageous glasses!) as a journalism student. Highly recommended.