Copyright 1960 by Burt Balaban Productions, Inc. Worldwide release through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Victoria: 28 June 1960. U.S. release: June 1960. U.K. release: 5 February 1961. Australian release: 20 October 1960. 9,178 feet. 103 minutes. Australian release title: SHADOW OF FEAR.
NOTES: A remake of "The Enforcer" (1951) with Humphrey Bogart in the Morgan role and Everett Sloane as Lepke. Remade in 1975 with Tony Curtis as Lepke.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Although based on historical fact, this movie is most unsuitable for children.
SYNOPSIS: In the 1930s, New York's underworld is ruled by the infamous Louis (Lepke) Bucholter, the murderous kingpin of organized crime. Under his reign of terror legitimate businesses are forced to pay "protection" money or face professional killers such as Abe Reles. Caught up in the violence is one Joey Collins, who, because of a debt to Reles, is being forced to assist the gang in carrying out their "contracts."
COMMENT: So far as I'm aware, this is the second of the only two films made by radio-TV comedian, Henry Morgan. His debut was in "So This Is New York". Needless to say, many computers and reference books simply add these two movies to the credits of Henry "Harry" Morgan. It was certainly an off-beat piece of casting, and it is reasonably effective, though the movie's dominant performance is provided by Peter Falk. Hero Whitman is merely adequate, whilst May Britt is wasted in a nothing role. (Both she and Whitman are fictitious characters too, whereas most of the other players can get their teeth into real people).
To sum up, this is not a pleasant movie, although it is somewhat softened by a number of extraneous scenes, including a nightclub visit with "singer" Sarah Vaughan.
NOTES: A remake of "The Enforcer" (1951) with Humphrey Bogart in the Morgan role and Everett Sloane as Lepke. Remade in 1975 with Tony Curtis as Lepke.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Although based on historical fact, this movie is most unsuitable for children.
SYNOPSIS: In the 1930s, New York's underworld is ruled by the infamous Louis (Lepke) Bucholter, the murderous kingpin of organized crime. Under his reign of terror legitimate businesses are forced to pay "protection" money or face professional killers such as Abe Reles. Caught up in the violence is one Joey Collins, who, because of a debt to Reles, is being forced to assist the gang in carrying out their "contracts."
COMMENT: So far as I'm aware, this is the second of the only two films made by radio-TV comedian, Henry Morgan. His debut was in "So This Is New York". Needless to say, many computers and reference books simply add these two movies to the credits of Henry "Harry" Morgan. It was certainly an off-beat piece of casting, and it is reasonably effective, though the movie's dominant performance is provided by Peter Falk. Hero Whitman is merely adequate, whilst May Britt is wasted in a nothing role. (Both she and Whitman are fictitious characters too, whereas most of the other players can get their teeth into real people).
To sum up, this is not a pleasant movie, although it is somewhat softened by a number of extraneous scenes, including a nightclub visit with "singer" Sarah Vaughan.