New Orleans Uncensored

I managed to catch this on one of the TV channels that specializes in broadcasting older movies. It caught my attention because I have a long, loving relationship with New Orleans and surrounding areas, having visited first in the 1950s when this movie was filmed, and later living there from 1973 to 1986.

It is about crooks, switching crates and papers at the docks as a way to steal goods. Even back then they had an electronic device which allowed them to track the movement of a particular crate, instrumental in busting the crime ring.

It was also particular interesting that a number of prominent New Orleans locals were used in the cast. When they were in a group scene with experienced actors it was easy to pick out the non-actors. Among them were locals Al Chittenden (long time president of local union 1418), Joseph L. Scheuering (superintendent of police, charged in 1952 with malfeasance in office), Victor Schiro (who later became Mayor from 1961 to 1970), Howard L. Dey (who became Fire Superintendent), Pete Herman (who was an all-time great bantamweight world champion), Ralph Dupas (fisherman), and Judge Walter B. Hamlin (who later served as the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court).

No doubt the inclusion of politicians and high law enforcement personnel gave the movie some advantage in its production. As a side note there was quite a bit of police corruption in New Orleans in that period, the 1950s.

Good movie for the location and the period, but nothing more than a B-movie.

This waterfront drams is set in the French Quarter and on the docks of New Orleans.

The film has everything for a low budget film that is worth watching.

The viewer is in the action from the opening sequence. Freight is being stolen from the docks and there several suspects. We're not kept in the dark over who dunnit. Instead, we watch as a crime network is destroyed.

An especially bright spot is the beautiful Beverly Garland who performs very well Beside her, other stars and supporting actots tell an engrossing story with the help of tight writing, editing and direction.

A downside is the camerawork. Though sufficient, there are many ill advised angles as if the photographer were stretching for an arty, noir look but failed.

Otherwise this is a fine movie. Suspenseful though we know the guilty party ... that's hard to do but NEW ORLEANS CONFIDENTIAL does it and then some in captivating style.

William Castle directed this 1955 film, New Orleans Uncensored, filmed on location. It stars Arthur Franz, Michael Ansara, and Beverly Garland.

Dan Corbett (Franz), a Navy vet, buys a dilapidated government ship and looks for a job so that he can keep up with the payments and fix it up.

What he runs into is a racketeer, Zero Saxon (Michael Ansara) who is stealing cargo and switching it with phony cargo. Many people are on the take and afraid of Saxon's ruthless killers.

Dan befriends Joe Reilly and his wife Marie, unaware that Joe is on the take. When he tries to quit, he is murdered. Dan winds up working for Saxon, but then helps the cops investigate Saxon, putting himself in danger.

This is done with some narration, very common for this type of film done in the '50s. Also several of the local politicians played themselves.

New Orleans' crooked government and police force is well known. In fact, a family friend, a civil rights attorney, had to move north to keep from being killed.

The film is well done. Both Garland and Saxon's girlfriend (Helene Stanton) had short blond hair - a mistake, as they looked too similar.

Beverly Garland, as Joe's unhappy wife, does a great job. She was one of my favorite people- I was privileged to meet and interview her. She was a delightful, upbeat woman with a wonderful sense of humor and fantastic anecdotes about her years in show business. I miss her.

"New Orleans Uncensored" sounds like some sort of porno flick, but it isn't. It's a dandy crime film, much like the Louisiana version of "On the Waterfront". Like in this other film, it's about a thug and his goons who want to run the docks....and pilfer as much cargo as they can. Into this racket arrives a new guy, Dan (Arthur Franz) and he soon gets pulled into this mess. Can Dan possibly survive or will he end up pushing up daisies like two of his new and fated friends.

This is a very good story and although it doesn't star any big names, a lot of 1950s and 60s character actors are in it and they do a great job. I enjoyed not only the story and the acting...but also loved seeing 1950s New Orleans and its French Quarter. If you've been to this great city, you'll enjoy seeing the likes of Antoine's and Cafe du Monde...as well as many great institutions that have long since vanished. Well worth seeing.

By the way, one minor gripe I have about the movie are the characters Marie and Alma. The two actresses (Beverly Garland and Helene Stanton) look so similar that I was confused until I could figure out how to tell them apart!

Similar to its Brother-Genre "Police Procedural", is the Sub-Genre that Emerged in the Low-Budget World of B-Movies in the 50's were "Exposes" with Sub-Titles like "Uncensored, Confidential, Exposed" Etc.

Usually Attached to a Big-City or Big-Corps (Garments, Docks) that Organized Crime Infiltrated after the Repeal of Prohibition.

Most were Unremarkable, although a Few like "Kansas City Confidential" (1955) and "The Phenix City Story" (1955) are Bona-Fide Classics of the Genre.

This One, takes an Obvious Cue from "On the Waterfront" (1952) the Marlon Brando Award Winner.

It Pales in Comparison but does have a Certain Gravitas Helped by B-Movie Stalwart Director William Castle.

Arthur Franz who Made quite an Impression in the Psychological, Pathological, Film-Noir "The Sniper" (1952), is Solid as the Protagonist.

Also some Good Character Actors like Mike Mazurki, Michael Ansara, and B-Movie Babe Beverly Garland Help this Rise Above Average.

The On-Location New Orleans Footage Helps Set the Stage and the Movie Contains some Genuine Intrigue of Mob Infiltration, On the Docks Violence, and Worker Intimidation.

Overall, Better than Most.