This is a great Film Noir crime thriller with the most fantastic cast:
Mickey Rooney, Steve Cochran, Mamie Van Doren, Mel Tormé, Ray Danton, Jim Backus, Jackie Coogan, Charles Chaplin Jr., Maila (Vampira!) Nurmi, Jay North, Leo Gordon and Don 'Red' Barry.
(The real old time-movie fans will recognize all these names.)
This is a little known, obscure, film noir crime story from the tail end of the 1950s, loosely based on Jimmy Hoffa. Mickey Rooney does a totally believable job chewing up the scenery as a ruthless, corrupt union boss.
Jay North, just months away from starting his run as Dennis The Menace on TV, gives a very believable performance as a typical suburban little boy who gets kidnapped and held ransom by the criminals out to control the unions. I was so surprised at how good Jay was at a dramatic role, yet he still infuses it with his natural good natured joyfulness that makes him so lovable. This kid is far tougher and more resilient than we ever knew before! *(Note that Jay has his natural brown hair color in this.) If you like old black and white crime noir 'B' movies, this is a great one! Great music too. I give it a 9 out of 10 stars.
(The real old time-movie fans will recognize all these names.)
This is a little known, obscure, film noir crime story from the tail end of the 1950s, loosely based on Jimmy Hoffa. Mickey Rooney does a totally believable job chewing up the scenery as a ruthless, corrupt union boss.
Jay North, just months away from starting his run as Dennis The Menace on TV, gives a very believable performance as a typical suburban little boy who gets kidnapped and held ransom by the criminals out to control the unions. I was so surprised at how good Jay was at a dramatic role, yet he still infuses it with his natural good natured joyfulness that makes him so lovable. This kid is far tougher and more resilient than we ever knew before! *(Note that Jay has his natural brown hair color in this.) If you like old black and white crime noir 'B' movies, this is a great one! Great music too. I give it a 9 out of 10 stars.