Torrid Zone (1940)
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60% of users liked it
(308 ratings)
Torrid Zone star James Cagney once described the film as "The Front Page among the bananas." Indeed, the screenplay diligently follows the Front Page plot device of a tough boss (Pat O'Brien) pulling every underhanded trick in the book to keep his top man (Cagney) from quitting. This… More Torrid Zone star James Cagney once described the film as "The Front Page among the bananas." Indeed, the screenplay diligently follows the Front Page plot device of a tough boss (Pat O'Brien) pulling every underhanded trick in the book to keep his top man (Cagney) from quitting. This time the setting is a Central American plantation owned by O'Brien, which supervisor Cagney would dearly love to leave behind. Complicating the plot is a nightclub singer (Anne Sheridan) over whom O'Brien and Tracy do battle; a bored married woman (Helen Vinson) with eyes for Cagney; and a gang of Latino bandits, led by George Tobias (providing comic relief). What Torrid Zone lacked in originality it made up for in sheer energy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Keighley
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- May 25, 1940 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Yeah, it's a melange of much, but, boy, is it ever a lot of slickly made fun.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a good example of a lively Warner Brothers film, where the ensemble studio cast have a great chemistry together.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a good showcase for Cagney's versatility and Sheridan's quick-witted banter.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Harmless fun, the movie is more notable for its attractive stars and snappy dialogue than for anything that actually happens in the plot.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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James Cagney
as Nick Butler
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Ann Sheridan
as Lee Donley
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Pat O'Brien
as Steve Case
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Andy Devine
as Wally Davis
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Helen Vinson
as Gloria Anderson
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Jerome Cowan
as Bob Anderson
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George Tobias
as Rosario La Mata
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George Reeves
as Sancho
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Victor Kilian
as Carlos
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Frank Puglia
as Rodriguez
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John Ridgely
as Gardner
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Grady Sutton
as Sam the Secretary
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Paul Porcasi
as Garcia the Hotel Bar Proprietor
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Frank Yaconelli
as Lopez
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Dick Boteler
as Hemandez
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Frank Mayo
as Shaffer
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Jack Mower
as McNamara
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Paul Hurst
as Daniels
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George Regas
as Sergeant of Police
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Elvira Sanchez
as Rita
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Trevor Bardette
as First Policeman
- Wade Boteler
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Rafael Corio
as Man (uncredited)
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Joe Dominguez
as Manuel
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George Humbert
as Hotel Manager
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Manuel López
as Chico
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Don Orlando
as Employee
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Tony Paton
as Charley
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Ernesto Piedra
as Second Policeman
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Rafael Storm
as Man