A psychopathic gangster obsessed with his mother masterminds his criminal operations from prison. He breaks out following a foiled attempt on his life by one of his henchmen, and leads his gang on a criminal rampage - unaware that the fellow escapee who saved his life is an undercover detective. Gangster drama, starring James Cagney, Edmond O'Brien and Virginia Mayo.

A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and then leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. After the heist, events take a crazy turn.