Copyright 1959 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: September 1959. U.K. release: January 1960. Australian release: 2 June 1960. 91 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Little Joe Braun, the racketeer head of a labor union, is called before a U.S. Senate Committee, but refuses to testify. The only witness against him is brutally murdered by two of his strong- arm men. Unfortunately, two union members spotted one of the strong- arm boys.
NOTES: A re-make of "Joe Smith, American" (1942).
COMMENT: Mamie Van Doren as an incongruous hausfrau is unintentionally amusing in this otherwise rather sordid gangster melodrama from exploitation specialist, Albert Zugsmith. It must be admitted that Mickey Rooney gives a terrific performance as the sadistic racketeer, but it is hardly one that will endear him to his "Andy Hardy" followers. Haas has directed this nasty movie with appropriate punch and, as usual in Zugsmith productions, the movie takes time out for a few tantalizing glimpses of interesting personalities – in this case, Billy Daniels and Charles Chaplin, Jr.
SYNOPSIS: Little Joe Braun, the racketeer head of a labor union, is called before a U.S. Senate Committee, but refuses to testify. The only witness against him is brutally murdered by two of his strong- arm men. Unfortunately, two union members spotted one of the strong- arm boys.
NOTES: A re-make of "Joe Smith, American" (1942).
COMMENT: Mamie Van Doren as an incongruous hausfrau is unintentionally amusing in this otherwise rather sordid gangster melodrama from exploitation specialist, Albert Zugsmith. It must be admitted that Mickey Rooney gives a terrific performance as the sadistic racketeer, but it is hardly one that will endear him to his "Andy Hardy" followers. Haas has directed this nasty movie with appropriate punch and, as usual in Zugsmith productions, the movie takes time out for a few tantalizing glimpses of interesting personalities – in this case, Billy Daniels and Charles Chaplin, Jr.