After a roustabout sailor avoids being shanghaied in 1850s San Francisco, his audacity helps him rise to a position of power in the vice industry of the infamous Barbary Coast.

James Cagneyas Bat Morgan
Margaret Lindsayas Jean Barrat
Ricardo Cortezas Paul Morra
Lili Damitaas Belle Morra
Donald Woodsas Charles Ford
Barton MacLaneas Spider Burke
George E. Stoneas Solomon "Solly" Green
Joe Kingas James "Jim" Daley (as Joseph King)
Addison Richardsas William Coleman
Robert McWadeas Judge Stephen Crawford