City for Conquest
Seen it?1940 | 104 min | Romance, Drama, Crime
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Best for anyone who loves an underdog and crime fans. You don't need to know the game to feel the big moments. Fans of West Side Story or The Red Shoes should feel right at home. Set against the energy of New York.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 44 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1940: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if romance makes you roll your eyes.
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?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
80% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 13K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Anatole Litvak, Jean Negulesco
- James CagneyDanny Kenny
- Ann SheridanPeggy Nash
- Frank Craven'Old Timer'
- Donald CrispScotty MacPherson
- Frank McHugh'Mutt'
- Arthur KennedyEddie Kenny
- George Tobias'Pinky'
- Jerome Cowan'Dutch'
- Elia Kazan'Googi'
- Anthony QuinnMurray Burns