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Excellent, Without a doubt!!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Utterly ridiculous and ultimately a bad movie with James Cagney, George Tobias, Ann Sheridan and others.As a revolutionary, Tobias turns the tables on the chief of police twice by devising the same exact trip.As the executive of a fruit company, Pat O'Brien gets Cagney to remain to manage things as current manager, Jerome Cowan, proves himself to be inept. In the meantime, Cowan's wife constantly throws herself at Cagney. This all changes when Sheridan, a nightclub singer, comes to town, but is immediately harassed by the O'Brien character.Throughout this mess, Cagney and Sheridan fall in and out of harmony.There is the usual shootout with Tobias and his fiery band of revolutionaries.

This film is a very good example of the difference between which is more important you -- reality or an entertaining film? This is an entertaining film. No question about it. And yet, as I sat there watching it, I logically felt it included so much that I didn't like. Let's start with Pat O'Brien. Was he a really good actor? For me, the answer is no. He talked too fast and seemed to think that good acting was nothing more than raising his voice. Yet most people -- including me -- usually enjoyed him on the screen. Even James Cagney can't be considered a good actor. I remember watching a Cagney film once with an Asian friend, and he kept asking me why Americans enjoyed someone who was so clearly overacting. And Cagney certainly was often guilty of that...although in this film he is more restrained, and as a result it is a better performance. But, the answer is that we enjoyed Cagney on the screen. Andy Devine...is that good acting? No, but there was something endearing about his buffoonery. I have to admit that George Tobias (who we usually see as a Bronx or Queens type) did well in playing a stereotypical Latin revolutionary. Stereotypes here galore, particularly in how the Latinos are depicted...lazy...stupid. And how Cagney, and particularly O'Brien treat the locals in downright disgraceful.Yet, this is an entertaining film.Is there any really good acting here? I'd single out Ann Sheridan, who has some pretty snappy dialog in a role that highlights her acting style. Although this is more a drama, her performance reminds a lot of her performance in "I Was A Male War Bridge" with Cary Grant, although that was a comedy. No doubt, she's enjoyable on screen.Although the part isn't very substantial, also watch for George Reeves (television's Superman) as a Latino.Considering that this film was made in Hollywood, I have to admit that Warner Brothers did a pretty decent job of making it look like Central America.So, despite the many things in this film that I generally dislike, it's an interesting flick. For fun...recommended.

Life at a banana plantation must have its compensations, judging from the way things turn out in this fast-moving, wise-cracking comedy directed stylishly by William Keighley. PAT O'BRIEN is the hard-nosed manager of a plantation who needs his former overseer's help in keeping some criminal elements from causing too much trouble. So JAMES CAGNEY comes back to help him--but trouble brews when he and O'Brien quarrel over red-headed ANN SHERIDAN, who just about walks off with the film's best lines.It's strictly a Warner comedy-melodrama with stock players turning up in some good supporting roles, particularly GEORGE TOBIAS, ANDY DEVINE, JEROME COWAN and, in a small role, GEORGE (Superman) REEVES.The real surprise of the film is ANN SHERIDAN, handling herself in every situation as a gal to be reckoned with. It's fun all the way.

Between 1934 and 1940, James Cagney and Pat O'Brien appeared in an incredible nine films together, taking a forty year break before working together for one more time in 1981's "Ragtime". But if you're accustomed to the stereotyped roles of Cagney as a gangster and O'Brien as a warm hearted and benevolent confidante, you're in for a surprise in this 1940 Warner Brothers gem, "Torrid Zone." O'Brien in particular catches you off guard as scheming, conniving banana plantation owner Steve Case. Case is accustomed to demanding his own way, and is not above bullying everyone else who he considers to be subservient. But then again, about the only way the other lead characters in this movie survive is to be conniving in their own way, from Cagney's itinerant foreman persona, Nick Butler, to Ann Sheridan's turn as card shark and saloon singer, Lee Donley. Throw into the mix the guerrilla outlaw Rosario (George Tobias), inept police chief Rodriguez (Frank Puglia), and Nick Butler's forlorn former lover Gloria Anderson (Helen Vinson), and you've got the makings of a fast and furious comedy where the verbal barbs fly. Some of the more memorable ones: Chief Rodriguez, prior to the attempted execution of Rosario - "After a good night's sleep, a man doesn't mind being shot." Rosario La Mata, following a shootout between his guerrilla band and Cagney/Butler's crew - "Senor Butler, I congratulate myself on your bad shooting." Rosario to Sheridan's Donley character following his capture for the second time - "Always before I am killed you come into my life." The story itself is almost secondary to the characters, but quite briefly, Steve Case convinces Nick Butler to take over operation of banana plantation Number 7 in order to make it profitable and get the goods to market while still fresh. Butler, who's womanizing reputation is put to the test, must overcome railroad sabotage, Ann Sheridan's "oomph" factor, Mrs. Anderson's plans to return with him to the States, and outlaw Rosario's efforts to win his land back for the natives. Along the way, he's aided by sidekick Wally Davis, portrayed by Andy Devine.For trivia fans, keep a watchful eye out for future TV Superman George Reeves as Rosario's henchman Sancho.When originally offered the part for "Torrid Zone", Cagney declined because the portrayal called for a character too similar to one's he had already played in prior films. George Raft was up for the part, and Cagney changed his mind on one condition, that he he get to wear a mustache - "No mustache, no Cagney". Obviously, Warner Brothers relented, and the rest as they say, is film history.