Porto da Violência

...so I'm watching this B-grade waterfront drama and suddenly I see Ed Nelson in a fight scene. Ed went on to star in dozens of tv shows in the 50's and 60's. Excellent actor.

But let's not forget Arthur Franz, who was also quite good. Released the year I was born, I was too young to see 'New Orleans Uncensored' at the local theater, though I begged mommy and daddy to take me.

Did I pitch a fit...My first tantrum. Oh well, I had to settle on a Disney flick years later.

'Son of Flubber', I think.

Hey, I just had a thought. How many people who posted a review on this website fifteen or twenty years ago are still alive? Am I still alive as you read this? Who knows...

Dan Corbett (Arthur Franz, "The Sniper") is an ex-sailor from California who's come to New Orleans to buy a boat and start a business. In need of a steady supply of money, he finds work on the docks, and ultimately becomes aware of the complex schemes being engineered by local racketeer Floyd "Zero" Saxon (Michael Ansara, "The Doll Squad").

Although this routine B crime picture is no great shakes in terms of direction (by William Castle) or script, it still remains pretty watchable, thanks largely to its setting (the film is partly a little love letter to New Orleans) and to its solid cast, which also includes lovely ladies Beverly Garland ("Not of This Earth") and Helene Stanton ("The Big Combo"), Stacy Harris ('Dragnet'), William Henry ("The Thin Man"), Michael Granger ("Creature with the Atom Brain"), Ed Nelson ('Peyton Place'), and notable tough-guy character actor Mike Mazurki ("Some Like It Hot"). A few of the local personalities also have roles in the film as authority figures.

In any event, "New Orleans Uncensored" is short & fairly snappy, with convincing atmosphere and some decent action sequences. (Such as the big brawl that erupts early on the picture.) Much like other 1950s movies, it's told semi-documentary style, with a narrators' voice turning up here and there.

Six out of 10.

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.

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.

Convincing story of docklands pilfering racket with actual pols playing themselves, narrated at start and finish. Lots of shots of New Orleans, not all of them flattering. There is a prolonged climax with fast pace, twists and violence starting when he kills the guy. The protagonist becomes an expert on police work when he takes his findings to the authorities.