...as a police force with no discernible ethical standards or scruples.
There's NOTHING the cops here won't do; burglary (to search the records of a mortuary business without obtaining a warrant), false arrest (for jailing the undertaker multiple times to pressure him into telling what he knows), blackmail (for hinting that the undertaker's wife will find out he has a lover), downright police corruption (releasing busted call girls in exchange for information), not to mention knowingly consorting with a known prostitute and operator of a call girl service (the call girl's madam) and not tossing her in the jug! On Robinson's suggestions and orders, policemen commit acts that should be rewarded with 5 years in San Quentin. They should have called this film "Cops Gone Wild"! If this is the LAPD Vice Squad, I'd hate to see what sort of schtick goes on down in Homicide.
On the other hand, it's a fun romp through the world of 1950s film noire, with Robinson playing the cool, laid back leader of the Vice Squad. I don't think Eddie EVER put in a bad performance.
Lee Van Cleef puts in an appearance at his beady eyed, sinister best. He was a natural born villain even this early in his career.
The script is a lot of fun... but it's enough to make Rodney King flinch.
Welcome to the corrupt Police State.
There's NOTHING the cops here won't do; burglary (to search the records of a mortuary business without obtaining a warrant), false arrest (for jailing the undertaker multiple times to pressure him into telling what he knows), blackmail (for hinting that the undertaker's wife will find out he has a lover), downright police corruption (releasing busted call girls in exchange for information), not to mention knowingly consorting with a known prostitute and operator of a call girl service (the call girl's madam) and not tossing her in the jug! On Robinson's suggestions and orders, policemen commit acts that should be rewarded with 5 years in San Quentin. They should have called this film "Cops Gone Wild"! If this is the LAPD Vice Squad, I'd hate to see what sort of schtick goes on down in Homicide.
On the other hand, it's a fun romp through the world of 1950s film noire, with Robinson playing the cool, laid back leader of the Vice Squad. I don't think Eddie EVER put in a bad performance.
Lee Van Cleef puts in an appearance at his beady eyed, sinister best. He was a natural born villain even this early in his career.
The script is a lot of fun... but it's enough to make Rodney King flinch.
Welcome to the corrupt Police State.