New Orleans Uncensored (1955)
97On the New Orleans shipping docks, an open hiring call for workers dissolves into a free-for-all fistfight led by representatives of racketeer Floyd 'Zero' Saxon (Michael Ansara), who intends to stifle outside competition for the men. When ex-naval officer Dan Corbett (Arthur Franz) arrives at the docks looking for work, he is put off by the brawl, and goes instead to a shipyard, where he negotiates the purchase of a surplus LSM craft, with which he plans to use to start his own shipping business.
The shipyard owner agrees to allow Dan to make payments, recommending that he might find work at the shipyard by attending the longshoremen picnic. At the picnic, Dan is befriended by Alma Mae (Helene Stanton), the girl friend of Jack Petty (Michael Granger), business agent for the longshoremen's union.
Dan meets Joe Reilly (William Henry) and his wife Marie (Beverly Garland) for dinner and is introduced to Scrappy Durant (Stacy Harris), Marie's brother, a former boxer turned coach, who offers to help Dan box for the union.
Joe goes to Saxon to request a release from his job, having saved enough to go into business for himself. Saxon agrees, but after Joe departs, sends his henchmen, Deuce and Big Mike, to kill Joe because of his extensive knowledge of Saxon's operation. Upon the discovery of Joe's murder, New Orleans police and local politicians join with the head of the longshoremen workers to discuss the racketeers' stronghold on the docks.
Per Saxon's orders, two men dump gasoline near the impounded shipment and set it ablaze. Dan, working late, hastily pushes the burning shipment off the dock with a forklift to prevent the fire from spreading. The next day, Al Chittenden (self), president of the Longshoremen Association, chastises Petty for allowing the fire to occur.
Saxon summons Dan and offers him an enormous salary increase to take Joe's job. When Dan asks frankly how the large salary is possible within union rules, Saxon is evasive, and Dan departs uncommitted.
Saxon orders Deuce and Big Mike to force a conflict between Dan and Scrappy. At the gym, Deuce tells Scrappy that Dan has confessed that Scrappy advised him of Saxon's operation. Angered, Scrappy attempts to provoke Dan in the ring, and confused, Dan finally lashes out at Scrappy and is mortified when the coach collapses, dead. Later, Marie tells a stunned Dan that he is not to blame, as Scrappy had a bad heart, which only the family and Saxon knew about.
The police ask Dan to plant a radio monitor on one of the Saxon shipments to track its movements and soon discover the complicated ring of outlets Saxon uses to move around supplies. When Saxon discovers the monitor, he attempts to gain access to incriminating papers housed in one of the dock warehouses. With the police still unable to arrest Saxon, Chittenden assists by ordering the longshoremen to strike, thus impeding any access to the docks by Saxon's men. Saxon sends Big Mike to beat up Dan for his complicity with the authorities, but Dan is revived by Alma, who offers him information about Saxon's involvement in Joe's murder in exchange for immunity. Dan locates Saxon, who has secretly entered the warehouse, and is wounded in a fight with him before Saxon is eventually arrested. Several months later, Dan and Marie relax on board his LSM as they hear the news of Saxon's indictment.
A 1955 American Film-Noir crime B-Movie directed by William Castle, produced by Sam Katzman, written by Orville H. Hampton and Lewis Meltzer, cinematography by Henry Freulich, starring Arthur Franz, Beverly Garland, Helene Stanton, Michael Ansara, Stacy Harris, Mike Mazurki, William Henry and Michael Granger.
Filmed on location on the docks and in the French Quarter, the movie used real-life police and political figures playing themselves in key roles.
When the words “A Sam Katzman Production” come up, you know it’s a speedy, entertaining little exploiter. And this is no different than the hundreds of others that thrifty, crafty, no-nonsense producer shepherded throughout his career. Director William Castle, later gained notoriety for "The Tingler" (1959).
In the 50's were "Exposes" with Sub-Titles like "Uncensored, Confidential, Exposed" and the like. Similar to its Brother-Genre "Police Procedural", this Sub-Genre emerged in the Low-Budget World of B-Movies. It's the kind of film where you know the bad guys are bad guys because they're almost always chomping on cigars.
A gritty crime thriller/morality lesson with typical Film-Noir style narration, an engrossing story, tight writing, editing and direction in captivating style. Featuring shots of 1950s New Orleans and its French Quarter, including the likes of Antoine's, Cafe du Monde, Pontchartrain Beach (and its perfectly noirish carnival element), Diamond Jim Moran's Food For Kings, The Roosevelt New Orleans hotel, Adam Comeaux's Lounge & Bar and The Court Of Two Sisters. A lot of 1950s and 60s character actors are in it and they do a great job.