The Case Against Brooklyn (1958)

When a reporter claims that New York police are on the take letting the mob run its horse parlors at will, a shocked District Attorney Michael Norris decide to do something about it. Not ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

Ed Reid (book), Daniel B. Ullman (screen story),

Stars:

Darren McGavin, Margaret Hayes, Warren Stevens

Cast

Cast overview:
Darren McGavin	...	Pete Harris
Margaret Hayes	...	Lil Polombo nee Alexander (as Maggie Hayes)
Warren Stevens	...	Rudi Franklin
Peggy McCay	...	Mrs. Jane Harris
Tol Avery	...	Dist. Atty. Michael W. Norris
Emile Meyer	...	Police Capt. T.W. Wills
Nestor Paiva	...	Finelli
Brian G. Hutton	...	Jess Johnson (as Brian Hutton)
Robert Osterloh	...	Det. Sgt. Bonney
Joe Turkel	...	Henchman Monte
Bobby Helms	...	Himself, Vocalist

Storyline

When a reporter claims that New York police are on the take letting the mob run its horse parlors at will, a shocked District Attorney Michael Norris decide to do something about it. Not knowing who can be trusted on the force, he turns to recent police academy graduates to go undercover and find the corrupt cops. Among them is Pete Harris, a 10 year Marine Corps veteran. His focus is on Lil Polumbo, recently widowed after her husband Gus' truck ran off the road. Rumor has it that Gus was heavily in debt to the mob and killed himself so his wife could collect on his insurance. When the mob learns that Harris is a cop, they try to kill him but it doesn't go as planned and kills someone close to him instead. Pete decides to get the killers at any cost.

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Plot Keywords:

rookie cop | district attorney | criminal syndicate | corrupt police | captain | 

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Taglines:

Is This Cop for Sale? For $500 - Under the Table!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asphaltgeier

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morningside Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Raymond T. Marcus is listed as the writer for this movie but that was an alias used by writer Bernard Gordon. Gordon co-wrote this movie with Julian Zimet. Since these two were on the Hollywood Black List they could not be credited.

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Soundtracks

"Jacqueline"
Music by Mort Garson
Lyrics by Bob Hilliard
Sung by Bobby Helms

User Reviews

Now, this is noir!

Opine that a film is noir, and the arguments will sprout up like mushrooms in a dark cellar. This gritty little feature, however, should cause contention only among those who designate noir in terms of directors, inclusive years, or other mercenary measures. The plot concerns police corruption, and the protagonist is an unsullied, but savvy rookie cop who is ready and willing to cast sentiment aside and get the goods by hook or crook. The Production Code is cracking, and characters talk of a woman putting out and a good guy's willingness to cheat on his wife. There's no soft soap or sappiness--only an oblique noir world that twists and turns and delivers flashes of light amidst the gloom.