The Case Against Brooklyn

Stumbled on this one today. Plot is very good, very realistic. Always fascinating to see what were once considered glamorous fashiones. The acting is top notch from names one would never consider important. The parts of the characters' lives might have seemed insignificant but here they were given real irony. Very frank 1950s violence . So much more fun to see fists used in unexpected places. All of this on a low budget, the only way film noir can be done.

IMDB calls "The Case Against Brooklyn" a 'fact-based film'. What does that mean? Does it mean that the story is a true story? I have no idea, as IMDB, Wikipedia and other sources don't say anything more about this aspect of the movie.

The story is, of course, set in Brooklyn. The city is very ill-served by its police force, as many cops seem to be on the take...accepting bribes to help a huge bookmaking outfit. But they are not just bookmakers, but send out rough goons to collect...and they don't seem to mind hurting or even killing people in the process.

Because so many cops could be involved, the Commissioner decides to recruit a rookie (Darren McGavin) from the police academy to go undercover along with a fellow rookie. But the road is tough for the rookies, as the crooks and crooked cops will stop at nothing to silence them. What's next? See the film.

In some ways this movie is a lot like film noir. On one hand, the story is very tough, violent and unflinching...just like good noir. But, on the other, the usual dark cinematography and camerawork isn't present in this one...which isn't a problem as the script is quite taut and exciting. Well worth seeing...and a really good, gritty cop picture.

It looks like a Don Siegel or Phil Karlson film, but director Paul Wendkos was an effective film maker, finally preferring the TV industry than the big screen one. Excellent, flawless acting, directing, photography. Of course, the topic tells the combat between good guys against the evil ones, the mob. It nearly evokes a pilot of a TV series in the basic plot. And Darren McGavin will also, as Paul Wendkos, prefer the small screen career. This film noir confirms the previous talent shown by Wendkos in THE BURGLAR, another crime film, solid, taut as this one, but for another story. A true good piece of work, solid material for noir gems seekers.

The Case Against Brooklyn is a terrific 1958 movie based upon a real New York police scandal. It's a very well crafted crime drama, typical of the era. A classic piece for the times. And there's plenty of great acting (keeping in mind this was filmed in the 1950's where action moves were exaggerated).

Darren McGavin is excellent as the chief undercover officer who tries to discover the highest levels of the corruption. If you're a fan of current day crime/dramas, movies like "The Case Against Brooklyn" are the movies upon which good quality crime/dramas have their foundation. That said, it was made in 1958. So it doesn't have the "gloss" of later films. None the less, it's fantastic to watch.

Coming Near the End of the Film-Noir Cycle.

This Fact-Based Story Tells of a District in Brooklyn that was "Sewed Up" By "Organized Crime".

It Came on the Heels of the Televised Senate Commission.

America was Riveted to the "Idiot Box" that for Once was Used for the Purpose of Informing the Public and Shining a Light on Evil Doers.

The Film is a Hard-Boiled, Bleak Look at the Gambling Operations and the Bad-Cops who were On the Take.

The Police Department Decides to Use "Virginal", Un-Tainted Rookies to Infiltrate.

Because the Corruption was so Deep that No One on the Force Could be Trusted.

Darren MaGavin Reins in His Usual Over-the-Top Shenanigans and Gives One of His Best Realistic Performances.

Good Cast All Around.

Highlighted by Margaret Hayes in a Gut-Wrenching Role and Bares Her Soul as a Widow whose Husband was "In Deep" to the Mob.

The Film also Boasts Bare-Knuckle Fisticuffs that are Outstanding.

Many a Norish Scenes of the Back-Alleys and Tough-Turf as the Action Unfolds.

Striking to Look At with a Good Script from the Black-Listed Bernard Gordon form a "True" Magazine Story by Ed Reid.

This Could be Categorized in 1950's Off-Spring of Film-Noir that Proliferated Crime Films and Became Labeled "Police Procedurals".

Owing more than a Debt to Pure Film-Noir, this is One of the Best of the Bunch.

Note...Bobby Helms the co-author of "Jingle Bell Rock" shows up in an "insert" and does the Movie no favors removing the angst and ambiance. But its only 2 minutes.