 Several versions exist of the origin of the notorious grapefruit  scene, but the most plausible is the one on which James Cagney and  Mae Clarke agree: The scene, they explained, was actually staged as  a practical joke at the expense of the film crew, just to see their  stunned reactions. There was never any intention of ever using the  shot in the completed film. Director Wellman, however, eventually  decided to keep the shot, and use it in the films final release  print.