Great Guy

After the chief deputy is nearly killed in a car accident orchestrated by Marty Cavanaugh, Johnny Cave is recruited to take over the Department of Weights and Measures. He learns there are higher-ups in the organization beyond Cavanaugh. As the new leader, he stresses the department's mission and warns that corruption remains a constant hazard.

In a briefing, Joe Green explains that powerful figures above Cavanaugh pull the strings. Johnny resolves to uncover them despite the danger. The revelation plants the seed for a broader fight against corruption.

Johnny and his naive partner Aloysius hit the streets to inspect merchants accused of faulty measures. They fine a market for adding lead weights to chickens and a gas station for shortchanging customers. Johnny remains firm against bribes, modeling integrity for his team.

Merchants try to buy Johnny's silence or ignoring their schemes, but he refuses every bribe. The pattern reinforces the moral cost of fighting corruption. The strain of the job is felt by Johnny in his personal life as Janet criticizes his relentlessness.

Cavanaugh attempts to corrupt Johnny by offering a comfortable position in exchange for turning a blind eye to the racket. Johnny refuses, standing his ground and keeping control of his investigations. The antagonism between them intensifies as other options are explored.

After refusing the lure, Johnny is framed for drunk driving and a robbery. The frame is quickly countered when Cavanaugh's interference exonerates him, revealing the manipulation at the top. The mayor, a puppet for Cavanaugh, offers him another job, which Johnny again refuses.

Johnny learns Abel Canning is swindling a local orphanage by charging full price for half shipments. He vows to expose the crime and connects it to a broader alliance among the mayor and Cavanaugh. The revelation strains Johnny and Janet's engagement as trust frays.

Johnny releases the orphanage story to the newspapers to expose the criminal scheme. Janet reacts with anger, deepening the rift between them. The political alliance behind the crimes becomes more evident as the case expands.

Cavanaugh hires ex-wrestler Joe Burton to attack and steal Johnny's case evidence. Burton instead uses the situation to try blackmail for money, complicating the already dangerous mission. The stakes rise as the plan threatens to destroy Johnny's case.

At a lavish cocktail party, Canning pays Burton with a $5,000 check in exchange for a key to his apartment where the evidence is hidden. Johnny notices Canning's skeleton key and sees Burton leaving a side room. He confronts Burton and retrieves what he believes is the stolen evidence.

Canning and Cavanaugh locate the remaining evidence hidden behind wallpaper in a closet and prepare to burn it. Johnny arrives just in time to prevent the destruction of the papers. Janet's tip leads the police to arrest the two conspirators moments later.

The evidence is secured and the conspirators are arrested, delivering a major blow to the corruption ring. Johnny's and Janet's engagement is restored as trust is rebuilt. The victory is tempered by the ongoing need to safeguard ethical standards in public service.

With justice beginning to prevail, Johnny presents Janet with a ring he bought on an installment plan, a symbolic gesture of honesty about his means. The moment reinforces their renewed commitment despite revelations of ethical complexities. The couple looks toward a future built on integrity.

The film closes on Johnny reaffirming his commitment to fighting corruption, modeling how a dedicated public servant can influence reform. Janet supports him, suggesting their relationship can endure the strains of moral battles. The narrative ends with a sense of ongoing vigilance against wrongdoing in the city.