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The Racket (1928)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 November 1928 (USA)
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Plot:
An honest police captain vows to bring down a powerful bootlegger who is protected by corrupt politicians and judges. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Police
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Politician
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Bootlegger
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Reporter
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Election
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Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
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User Comments:
Stagey early crime melodrama done in by stiffness
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Thomas Meighan | ... | Police Captain James McQuigg | |
| Louis Wolheim | ... | Nick Scarsi | |
| Marie Prevost | ... | Helen Hayes | |
| G. Pat Collins | ... | Patrolman Johnson (as Pat Collins) | |
| Henry Sedley | ... | Spike Corcoran | |
| George E. Stone | ... | Joe Scarsi (as George Stone) | |
| Sam De Grasse | ... | District Attorney Harry Welch (as Sam DeGrasse) | |
| Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher | ... | Reporter Miller (as Skeets Gallagher) | |
| Lee Moran | ... | Reporter Pratt | |
| John Darrow | ... | Cub Reporter Ames | |
| Lucien Prival | ... | Chick | |
| Dan Wolheim | ... | Sergeant Turck |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
84 min (2004 alternate version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) |
USA:TV-G (TV rating)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 22 November 1927 and closed in March 1928 after 119 performances. The opening night cast included Edward G. Robinson, Romaine Callender, G. Pat Collins (who is also in the movie), Norman Foster, Hugh O'Connell and Willard Robertson.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
[McQuigg ducks into a doorway when one of Scari's henchmen shoots at but purposely misses him. Scarsi emerges from behind the door]
Nick Scarsi: Hello, Mac.
Police Captain James McQuigg: Hello, Nick.
Nick Scarsi: Take a tip, Mac... change your racket.
Police Captain James McQuigg: I like my racket... and I haven't shot yet.
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[McQuigg ducks into a doorway when one of Scari's henchmen shoots at but purposely misses him. Scarsi emerges from behind the door]
Nick Scarsi: Hello, Mac.
Police Captain James McQuigg: Hello, Nick.
Nick Scarsi: Take a tip, Mac... change your racket.
Police Captain James McQuigg: I like my racket... and I haven't shot yet.
more
Movie Connections:
Remade as The Racket (1951)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (12 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Racket (1928)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| A great movie! | wtl471629 |
| On TCM July 14, 2008, 12am | dautkomm |
| DVD | stageactor |
| Banned in Chicago | DooMer87 |
| TCM ' s got 'em | mmtoucan |
Recommendations
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

I am one of the nay sayers, I'm afraid. Everyone else who has left a comment on this film loved it, it seems. I thought the first half hour or so went very well as this segment contained scenes that opened out the stage play, but the final hour, which is pretty much confined to one precinct house and two sets, is very stagy, very stiff and for me, very dull.
I am surprised that the other early crime melodrama of that time period, UNDERWORLD, which was far more interesting and cinematic, didn't cop the Best Film Oscar nom - it did get an Oscar for writing, so I guess it was the voters' way of being fair and divvying up the spoils, but THE RACKET is no way near as good a film as UNDERWORLD.
Walter Brennan's one scene occurs about ten minutes into the film, George Stone's mug as Joe Scarci is almost as homely as Louis Wolheim, who plays lead heavy Nick Scarsi. At least they match as brothers in central casting.
Meighan is wooden as the idealistic cop. Lucien Prival as Chick reminded me of Pee Wee Herman. I'm glad it was rescued from oblivion, but I for one am not one to think this a great film by any means.