Force of Evil (1948)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Abraham Polonsky

Writers:

Abraham Polonsky (screenplay) and
Ira Wolfert (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Plot:

An unethical lawyer, with an older brother he wants to help, becomes a partner with a client in the numbers racket.

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Lawyer | Numbers Racket | Policeman | Betrayal

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John Garfield	...	Joe Morse
Thomas Gomez	...	Leo Morse
Marie Windsor	...	Edna Tucker
Howland Chamberlain	...	Freddie Bauer (as Howland Chamberlin)
Roy Roberts	...	Ben Tucker
Paul Fix	...	Bill Ficco
Stanley Prager	...	Wally
Barry Kelley	...	Det. Egan
Paul McVey	...	Hobe Wheelock
Beatrice Pearson	...	Doris Lowry

Also Known As:

Tucker's People (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Enterprise Productions

Trivia:

In order to show cinematographer George Barnes how he wanted the film to look, Abraham Polonsky gave him a book of Edward Hopper's Third Avenue paintings.

Goofs:

Continuity: During a climactic montage set at an East Coast racetrack on the Fourth of July, people in the stock footage crowd scenes are dressed in winter garments nobody would wear in the middle of summer.

Quotes:

Joe Morse: If you need a broken man to love, break your husband. I'm not a nickel, I don't spend my life in a telephone! If that's what you want for love, you can't use me.
Edna Tucker: You're not strong or weak enough.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The John Garfield Story (2003) (TV)

A movie that portrays the tragedy of "victimless" crime.

This movie is about the "numbers" racket that existed at the time the movie was made. Younger viewers, familiar with state lotteries may not appreciate the pervasive influence that was required to operate a nickel and dime play of individuals, that translated into millions that went to corrupt local politicians, judges, and police. One reviewer said the crime was petty which is true; but that makes the cost to the characters involved so tragic and cinematcally vivid. John Garfield acting is at its best as he portrays a person trying to balance ambition, romance and family loyalty. The minor characters are all nice people who found themselves caught in a dirty business that seemed harmless to everyone who played the numbers. This movie shows the real cost in personal terms. The writing, acting and direction of this movie excels any crime movie of this generation.