Bartlett Cormack's three-act drama had a controversial initial run in Chicago, where local officials attempted to censor it. The play opened on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on 22 November 1927 for 119 performances. Ruthless Chicago gangster Nick Scarsi has kept honest police Captain McQuigg from promotion through his influence with corrupt officials. When Scarsi expands his bootlegging operation into McQuigg's suburban precinct, McQuigg is determined to bring him to justice. When a crooked judge orders Scarsi's release from custody, McQuigg refuses to release him. Losing his temper, Scarsi admits a murder in front of State Attorney Welsh, but insists they cannot prosecute him because he can bring down the city's political machine. Scarsi meets justice only when he is shot while attempting to murder McQuigg. Edward G. Robinson had an early success as Scarsi. Louis Wolheim took on the role for a 1928 motion picture version. Robert Ryan played the character, renamed Nick Scanlon, in a 1951 remake.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.