Hoodlum Empire

Melodrama, inspired by the Kefauver investigations. Brian Donlevy. Connie: Claire Trevor. Pignatelli: Forrest Tucker. Joe: John Russell. Marte: Vera Ralston. Mancani: Luther Adler. Tower: Gene Lockhart. Andrews: Grant Withers. Directed by Joseph Kane., The Kefauver organized crime investigations of the early 1950s inspired this mob melodrama, about a crusading politician (Brian Donlevy) on a mission to bring down Mafia boss Nicky Mansani (Luther Adler)., John Russell plays Joe Gray, an ex-serviceman who is related to pre-war gangsters but, after distinguished service, decides to go straight. But his ex- army commander, William J Stephens, who is now a Senator heading a committee investigating organised crime, subpoenas him. Gray must face his ex-girlfriend Connie Williams and his old friends, who are out to stop him testifying at all costs. Joseph Kane’s film noir is loosely based on the Kefauver Committee’s hearings in the early 50s and some of the fictional gangsters in the film bear a strong resemblance to some of the real mobsters who were arraigned.