The Mayor of 44th Street

"MEET THE GUT WHO DISHED IT OUT...because he got tired of taking it"

Oct 15 1942 Passed 1h 26m
Drama, Music, Romance

In this drama, an ex-vaudevillian dancer opens up a dance band agency and help street kids at the same time by hiring them to help out. Unfortunately, the local gang of hood's leader resists his attempts. More trouble ensues when the dancer helps a convict gain parole by hiring him. It later turns out that the ex-con is only interested in trying to use the agency as a front for extortion. Songs include the Oscar nominated "When There's a Breeze on Lake Louise," "Your Face Looks Familiar," "Heavenly, Isn't He?" "Let's Forget It," "You're Bad For Me," and "A Million Miles From Manhattan."

Plot

Joe Jonathan (George Murphy), a reformed ex-con is the new owner of a dance-band booking agency, is under police scrutiny owing to the racketeering tactics of its former owner , Ed Kirby (Richard Barthelmess), who is in Sing Sing Prison. Bits McKrk (Rex Downing), a small-time young hoodlum essays a blackmailing foray into Joe's thriving business. But Jon wins over the tough little runt and takes him into his business, against the advice of Jessie Lee (Anne Shirley), his former hoofer partner and true-blue girlfriend. Kirby is paroled from prison and attempts,with members of the old gang, to extort protection tribute from George's clients, that includes Freddie Martin and His Orchestra. Little Bits McKirk, impressed by Kirby's big-time hoodlum glamour, begins to back-slide, as predicted by Jessie. George, with his world crashing and the woman he loves beginning to lose faith in him, realizes he has a tough job ahead of hi.

Written by

Robert Hardy Andrews, Lewis R. Foster, Frank Ryan

Directed by

Alfred E. Green

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

RKO Radio Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 nomination total

Scores
# of Votes
222
Average Rating
5.5 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA