Rating: NR
Genre:
Crime
Release Date: 03/26/2002
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: DS
Run Time: 102 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: Republic Pictures
Based on a novel by
Horace McCoy (
They Shoot Horses, Don't They),
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye offers
James Cagney at his nastiest. The star plays career criminal Ralph Cotter, who gets things started by violently busting out of jail, then murdering his partner in crime. Seeking out female companionship, he "courts" his ex-partner's sister Holiday (
Barbara Payton) by beating her black and blue. After committing a robbery, he is approached by two crooked cops who want a piece of the action. Blackmailing the cops, Cotter gains control of the situation. Is there any way to stop this fascinating creep? Filmgoers in Ohio never found out, because
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye was banned in that state as "a sordid, sadistic presentation of brutality and an extreme presentation of crime with explicit steps in commission." Supporting
Cagney are
Luther Adler as his equally crooked lawyer,
Ward Bond and
Barton MacLane as the dishonest cops, and
Cagney's brother
William (who produced the film) as Ralph Cotter's brother.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide