The Gangster

"HE'S GOT THE TOWN BY THE THROAT!"

Nov 25 1947 Approved 1h 24m
Crime, Drama, Film-Noir

Based on the novel Low Company. One of the most peculiar film noirs of the 1940s stars Barry Sullivan as a small-time hood who suffers a mental breakdown as his big plans begin to crumble. Beautiful Belita is the slumming society girlfriend who only fuels his paranoia.

Plot

Shubunka is the self-made head of the rackets in the sleazy boardwalk community of Neptune City, a low-rent version of Coney Island. He has become infatuated with a sultry nightclub chanteuse and lavishes her with gifts and attention, spending money on her that might better go to maintaining his hold on his operation. His obsession with her, as well as his pride, clouds his judgment as Cornell, a much more ruthless hoodlum, moves in on Shubunka's territory, bribes and threatens his associates, and compromises his operation. As if in a Greek tragedy, the petty gangster's weaknesses conspire to cause his downfall.

Written by

Daniel Fuchs, Dalton Trumbo

Directed by

Gordon Wiles

Cast

Barry Sullivan, Belita, Joan Lorring

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

King Brothers Productions

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
1,404
Average Rating
6.5 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA