UID:
kobvindex_ZLB34851626
Format:
82 min
,
1,85:1
Content:
Written by "Raymond T. Marcus" (blacklisted scripter Bernard Gordon: Hellcats of the Navy, Chicago Confidential, The Day of the Triffids) and fellow blacklistee, Julian Zimet (Psyche 59, Circus World, Crack in the World), based on a True Magazine article, I Broke the Brooklyn Graft Scandal by investigative reporter Ed Reid, The Case Against Brooklyn is a snappy, violent noir programmer benefiting from good performances, solid production values (Fred Jackman Jr.'s shadowy black and white cinematography is terrific), and a deft directorial touch from sophomore director Paul Wendkos (Gidget, The Mephisto Waltz, The Legend of Lizzie Borden). Opening with a intriguingly contradictory tone of realism (the credits are a case file taken out of a briefcase) and storybook telling (a title card reads, "Brooklyn...a very few years ago."), Gordon's and Zimet's story jumps right in with its central theme: Brooklyn is "sewn up" between collaborating cops and the mob, and anyone who's stupid enough to try and unravel that lucrative arrangement is going to die. Their Brooklyn is a deeply cynical, corrupt one where "the law belongs to the highest bidder," with illicit money providing "the grease for the wheels of [perverted] justice." (Paul Mavis, DVD-Talk)
Note:
Orig.: USA, 1958 ; renewed 1986
In:
Noir archive : 9 film collection, 2019, Volume 3. 1957-1960, (2019)
Language:
English
Keywords:
Film
