Cody Jarrett, portrayed by the iconic James Cagney, is a ruthless and mentally unstable leader of a notorious criminal gang, deeply entangled in various illegal activities. His relationship with his wife, Verna, played by Virginia Mayo, is marred by his overwhelming devotion to his cunning and manipulative mother, affectionately known as 'Ma' Jarrett, who is skillfully brought to life by Margaret Wycherly. This complicated web of familial bonds reveals Jarrett's emotional frailty, encapsulated in his bouts of excruciating headaches, during which he seeks solace in the comforting presence of his mother. As Ma consoles him with a drink and the chilling toast, > "Top of the world," it becomes all too clear that the psychological scars from his upbringing are about to lead him down a dark and treacherous path.
The narrative takes a gripping turn as Jarrett masterminds a daring train robbery, an operation that results in multiple fatalities, including not only several crew members but also one of his own accomplices, Zuckie, portrayed by Ford Rainey. The police, alerted by informants, quickly close in on Jarrett, leading to an explosive confrontation where he wounds U.S. Treasury investigator John Archer. After his escape to Illinois, Jarrett attempts to outwit the justice system by confessing to a lesser crime, conveniently timed with the train heist, giving him a seemingly ironclad alibi and a surprisingly lenient sentence of one to three years in prison.
However, investigator Evans is not easily deceived. He calls upon his best undercover agent, Edmond O'Brien, who assumes the alias "Vic Pardo." Pardo's mission is not just to gather information about Jarrett, but to dismantle the criminal operation that Jarrett runs with his elusive fence known as the “Trader.” As tensions rise within the prison walls, Jarrett's ambitious right-hand man, Steve Cochran as 'Big Ed' Somers, schemes to take over both the gang and the affections of Verna, prompting a deadly game of manipulation and betrayal.
In a gripping moment of survival, during a near-fatal encounter with a heavy piece of machinery cleverly orchestrated by another convict, it is Pardo who saves Jarrett's life. As the plot thickens, Ma's unexpected visit adds another layer of complexity, especially when her insistence to deal with Big Ed triggers a series of violent reactions from Jarrett. When heart-wrenching news reaches him that his mother has been murdered, Jarrett descends into chaos, igniting a bloody rampage that leaves guards and fellow inmates alike scrambling in fear.
Ultimately, Jarrett meticulously orchestrates his escape, an act that is not without its complications. Accompanied by Fallon and other convicts, including Parker, whom they reluctantly free from a cramped car trunk, they find their way to a remote hideout in the mountains of California. It is here that they enact a brutal series of events, including the cold-blooded murder of an unsuspecting family to steal their car. In a chilling exchange, Parker voices his discomfort with the confinement, only for Jarrett to menacingly respond, “Oh, stuffy, huh? I'll give ya a little air,” as he dismissively shoots bullets into the trunk.
As layers of deceit unravel, Verna's aspirations for freedom conflict with Jarrett's obsessive quest for revenge against Big Ed, resulting in a frantic and suspenseful showdown that leaves no room for leniency. The gang, now swollen with additional escapees, prepares for a pivotal heist at a chemical plant, using a gas truck as a cleverly disguised means to infiltrate the facility.
The dynamic within the gang becomes increasingly fraught as Fallon’s true identity as an undercover agent begins to clash with Jarrett’s trust in him. In a tense standoff, the plan spirals out of control, forcing Fallon to face the reality of his mission, even as Jarrett remains blissfully unaware of the impending doom. As the police converge around them, the stage is set for a climactic conclusion filled with chaos and gunfire.
In the final act, on top of a towering gas storage tank, Jarrett’s world comes crashing down as chaos reigns. As the police lay siege and his teammates fall to bullets, he clings to the remnants of his delusions of grandeur, proclaiming in a moment of relentless fury, > "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" His defiance is short-lived as he meets an explosive fate, leaving Fallon to reflect on the tragic arc of Jarrett's life, remarking how he made it to the top, only for it to end in a fiery explosion that consumes everything he fought for.
