Hoodlum Empire *** (1952, Brian Donlevy, Forrest Tucker, Claire Trevor, Vera Ralston, Luther Adler, John Russell, Gene Lockhart, Grant Withers) – Classic Movie Review 8954

Producer-director Joseph Kane’s 1952 black and white film noir crime thriller Hoodlum Empire stars Brian Donlevy as upright, feisty Senator Bill Stephens, who battles nasty crime lord Nick Mansani (Luther Adler).

John Russell plays Joe Gray, who is an a bit of an awkward position, since, although he is now known as a World War Two war hero, he has been a crook and a mobster, and the authorities want him to give court evidence against his former buddies, who are naturally pretty keen that he does not. In particular, his New York mob boss uncle fears his nephew will testify against them before a Grand Jury.

The fragrant cast raise the temperature on Republic Pictures’ neatly done and involving Fifties crime-syndicate exposé inspired by US Congressional racketeer investigations. Donlevy and Adler are excellent, and Claire Trevor and Vera Ralston are always welcome, but an expressionless Russell is much less impressive. Kane’s atmospheric film-noir-style handling is entirely effective.

Hoodlum Empire stars Brian Donlevy, Forrest Tucker, Claire Trevor, Vera Ralston, Luther Adler, John Russell, Gene Lockhart, and Grant Withers.

Also in the cast are Taylor Holmes, Roy Barcroft, Richard Jaeckel, Roy Roberts, Don Beddoe, Richard Benedict, Pat Flaherty, Don Haggerty, John Halloran, Matty Fain, Whit Bissel, Tony Dante, Mikel Conrad, Fred Kohler Jr, Tom Monroe, William Murphy, Jack Pennick, Francis Pierlot, Charles Trowbridge, Sid Tomack, Dick Wessel, George Volk, Richard Reeve, William Schallert, Jeffrey Sayre, Lee Shumway, Stanley Waxman, and Roy Roberts.

Hoodlum Empire is directed by Joseph Kane, runs 98 minutes, is made by Republic Pictures, is released by Republic Pictures (1952) (US) and British Lion Film Corporation (1952) (UK), is written by Bruce Manning and Robert [Bob] Considine, from a story by Robert [Bob] Considine, is shot in black and white by Reggie Lanning, is produced by Herbert J Yates (presenter) and Joseph Kane (associate producer), is scored by Nathan Scott and is designed by Frank Arrigo.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8954

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