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The Racket (1928)

84 min  -  Crime | Film-Noir  -   1 November 1928 (USA)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 355 users  
Reviews: 18 user | 9 critic

An honest police captain vows to bring down a powerful bootlegger who is protected by corrupt politicians and judges.

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

Bartlett Cormack (play), Bartlett Cormack (adaptation), and 3 more credits »

Stars:

Thomas Meighan, Louis Wolheim and Marie Prevost
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Thomas Meighan Thomas Meighan ...
Louis Wolheim Louis Wolheim ...
Marie Prevost ...
G. Pat Collins G. Pat Collins ...
Patrolman Johnson (as Pat Collins)
Henry Sedley Henry Sedley ...
Spike Corcoran
George E. Stone George E. Stone ...
Joe Scarsi (as George Stone)
Sam De Grasse Sam De Grasse ...
District Attorney Harry Welch (as Sam DeGrasse)
Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher ...
Reporter Miller (as Skeets Gallagher)
Lee Moran Lee Moran ...
Reporter Pratt
John Darrow John Darrow ...
Lucien Prival Lucien Prival ...
Chick
Dan Wolheim Dan Wolheim ...
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

An honest police captain named McQuigg becomes a tough rival to a powerful bootlegger named Scarsi, even though McQuigg's pinches never stick because Scarsi and his organization control the corrupt politicians and judges. When Scarsi can't scare McQuigg off, he gets him transferred to a quiet police precinct in the suburbs, but McQuigg continues their war of words via a pair of wisecracking newspaper reporters. Then McQuigg catches a huge break when Scarsi's younger brother gets picked up for a hit and run accident in his precinct, putting in motion a complex plan to bring down the mobster using the reporters, a nightclub singing gold digger, the upcoming elections and Scari's own organization. Written by TimeNTide  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Police | Bootlegger | Politician | Reporter | Hit And Run  | See more »

Genres:

Crime | Film-Noir

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English (intertitles)

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

A Lei dos Fortes See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Caddo Company See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(2004 alternate version)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

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. See more »

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.
See more »

Connections

Remade as The Racket (1951) See more »