Never Steal Anything Small (1959)

An unethical longshoreman (James Cagney) connives his way to the presidency of the stevedore's union through illegal activities. When he sets his eye on the pretty wife (Shirley Jones) of his new lawyer (Roger Smith), he plots to break up the marriage and go after the wife. Based on the play THE DEVIL'S HORNPIPE by Maxwell Anderson and Rouben Mamoulian and directed by screenwriter Charles Lederer (GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES). This is a rather odd little film. With only four musical numbers, I'd call it a semi musical rather than a full blown musical. The emphasis isn't on singing and dancing but union politics. One could call it a satire of union politics but it's lightweight. It's no ON THE WATERFRONT. Cagney's character is supposed to be corrupt but charming but he's such a vile person that his "charm" didn't work for me. Shot in CinemaScope by Harold Lipstein (THE CHAPMAN REPORT), the film is bright and colorful. Of the four musical numbers, only one really stands out. I'm Sorry, I Want A Ferrari, a duet sung by Cagney and Cara Williams. The choreography is by Hermes Pan. With Nehemiah Persoff, Anthony Caruso, Horace McMahon, Virginia Vincent and Jack Albertson.