The heartbreaking but hopeful tale of Danny Kenny and Peggy Nash, two sweethearts who meet and struggle through their impoverished lives in New York City. When Peggy, hoping for something better in life for both of them, breaks off her engagement to Danny, he sets out to be a championship boxer, while she becomes a dancer paired with a sleazy partner. Will tragedy reunite the former lovers?
Danny Kenny
James Cagney
Peggy Nash
Ann Sheridan
'Old Timer'
Frank Craven
Scotty MacPherson
Donald Crisp
'Mutt'
Frank McHugh
Eddie Kenny
Arthur Kennedy
'Pinky'
George Tobias
'Dutch'
Jerome Cowan
'Googi'
Elia Kazan
Murray Burns
Anthony Quinn
Gladys
Lee Patrick
Mrs. Nash
Blanche Yurka
'Goldie'
George Lloyd
Lilly
Joyce Compton
Max Leonard
Thurston Hall
Cobb
Ben Welden
Salesman
John Arledge
Gaul
Edward Keane
Doctor
Selmer Jackson
Doctor
Joseph Crehan
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Murray Alper
Championship Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
Ticket Taker (uncredited)
Harris Berger
First Policeman (uncredited)
Ward Bond
New York Policeman (uncredited)
Wade Boteler
Party Guest (uncredited)
James Carlisle
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Steve Carruthers
Boy (uncredited)
Hugh Chapman
Championship Fight Spectator (uncredited)
James Conaty
Party Guest (uncredited)
Oliver Cross
Doorman (uncredited)
Dudley Dickerson
Mr. Cahn - Man Buying Newspaper (uncredited)
John Dilson
Gym Rat (uncredited)
James Dime
Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Warren Douglas
Party Guest (uncredited)
Jay Eaton
Band Conductor and Emcee (uncredited)
Frank Faylen
Dance Floor Guard (uncredited)
Pat Flaherty
Dance Contestant (uncredited)
George Ford
Joe - Foreman (uncredited)
Edward Gargan
Concert Spectator (uncredited)
Joe Gilbert
Boy (uncredited)
Malvern Gilmartin
Ticket Taker (uncredited)
David Gorcey
Cannonball Wales (uncredited)
Joe Gray
Dance Judge (uncredited)
Harrison Greene
Mickey Miller (uncredited)
Kit Guard
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Robert Haines
Sally - Irene's Friend (uncredited)
Margaret Hayes
Sam Hayes - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Sam Hayes
Gym Trainer (uncredited)
Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian
Radio Listener (uncredited)
Arthur Housman
Organ Grinder's Shill (uncredited)
George Humbert
Referee in Wales Fight (uncredited)
John Indrisano
Boy (uncredited)
Danny Jackson
Pep - Sportswriter (uncredited)
Thomas E. Jackson
Chorus girl (uncredited)
Lois James
Boy (uncredited)
Payne B. Johnson
Al's Pal (uncredited)
Colin Kenny
Bill Poster (uncredited)
Victor Kilian
Dance Contestant (uncredited)
Joseph La Cava
Fight Ringsider / Party Guest (uncredited)
Mike Lally
Al - Dance Team Manager (uncredited)
Charles Lane
Girl (uncredited)
Paula Lane
Irene - Dressing Room Blonde (uncredited)
Ethelreda Leopold
Champion Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Carl M. Leviness
Tonbstone Painter (uncredited)
Michael Mark
Man in Peggy's Dressing Room (uncredited)
William Marshall
Concert Spectator (uncredited)
Eric Mayne
Danny's Trainer (uncredited)
Pat McKee
Band Conductor and Emcee (uncredited)
Sidney Miller
Championship Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Hans Moebus
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse
Man Next to MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
Jack Mower
Max's Lyricist (uncredited)
William Newell
Waiter (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien
Newsboy (uncredited)
George O'Hanlon
Reporter (uncredited)
Garry Owen
Dance Contest Observer (uncredited)
Paul Panzer
Singer (uncredited)
Sally Payne
Wales' Handler (uncredited)
Jack Perry
Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Lee Phelps
Sailor - Sparring Partner (uncredited)
William Phillips
Della - Peggy's Maid (uncredited)
Bernice Pilot
Waiter (uncredited)
Alexander Pollard
Party Guest (uncredited)
Fred Rapport
Boy (uncredited)
Jackie Salling
Concert Spectator (uncredited)
Scott Seaton
Man Yelling at Ringside (uncredited)
John Sheehan
Dance Judge (uncredited)
Charles Sherlock
Sidney - Pupil (uncredited)
Buster Slaven
Organ Grinder (uncredited)
Stephen Soldi
Kid Callahan (uncredited)
Bob Steele
Party Guest (uncredited)
Larry Steers
Dance Floor Guard #2 (uncredited)
Charles Sullivan
Photographer (uncredited)
Elliott Sullivan
Radio Listener (uncredited)
Frank Sully
Championship Fight Spectator (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel
Happy - Googi's Henchman (uncredited)
Billy Wayne
Cab Driver by Fire (uncredited)
Dick Wessel
Dance Contest Observer (uncredited)
Leo White
Party Guest (uncredited)
Frank Wilcox
Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
Charles C. Wilson
Man on Fire Escape (uncredited)
Tom Wilson
Mush (uncredited)
Robert Winkler
Dance Contestant (uncredited)
George Boyce