Miami Exposé *** (1956, Lee J Cobb, Patricia Medina, Edward Arnold) – Classic Movie Review 12,174

Lee J Cobb, above left.

Director Fred F Sears’s 1956 black and white American film noir crime movie Miami Exposé stars Lee J Cobb as Miami police lieutenant Bart Scott who goes after gangster Louis Ascot (Michael Granger) and attorney Raymond Sheridan (Alan Napier)’s rival Florida gambling rings, in this modest but very watchable thriller with just enough good story, low-life crime atmosphere and stalwart acting to recommend it.

Bart Scott’s police captain is murdered by a gunman, who also is found dead, and the gunman’s wife Lila Hodges (Patricia Medina) witnesses the crime. Patricia Medina plays the squealing turncoat moll Lila, whom Bart Scott (Cobb) stows away in the Everglades, while expecting the mob to arrive to take her.

Cobb’s tough, powerful performance adds the movie’s only extra-special distinction and cements the mixture; he is very good value. But the other actors are also good value too. The always excellent Edward Arnold plays a blackmailer; sadly he died from a heart attack while filming.

There is a brief appearance by boxing great Jake LaMotta (The Raging Bull), playing a thug during the Everglades chase scene.

Also in the cast are Eleanore Tanin, Harry Lauter, Chris Alcaide, Hugh Sanders, and Barry L Connors.

Miami Exposé is directed by Fred F Sears, runs 75 minutes, is made by Clover Productions, is released by Columbia Pictures, is written by Robert E Kent and James B Gordon, based on Sam Katzman’s story, is shot in black and white by Benjamin H Kline, is produced by Sam Katzman, and is scored by Mischa Bakaleinikoff.

the cast are Lee J Cobb as Lt. Barton ‘Bart’ Scott, Patricia Medina as Lila Hodges, Edward Arnold as Oliver Tubbs, Michael Granger as Louis Ascot, Eleanore Tanin as Ann Easton, Alan Napier as Raymond Sheridan, Harry Lauter as Det. Tim Grogan, Chris Alcaide as Morrie Pell, Hugh Sanders as Chief Charles Landon, and Barry L Connors as Stevie Easton

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,174

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Patricia Medina, above right.