The Racket (1928)

Louis Wolheim is superbly cast in this gangster drama as the nasty "Scarsi". He and his mobster pals rule the roost controlling the lucrative and illicit bootlegging and gambling businesses across the city. Those they can't bribe or coax they just blow away until, that is, the arrival of the almost Dickesnsianly named police captain "McQuigg" (Thomas Meighan). Initially it's the criminal who has the upper hand. Thanks to some well placed political and judicial influence, "Scarsi" stays free and clear - and he even manages to ensure his antagonist is relegated to a provincial beat where he can do no harm. Then luck takes an hand. "Joe" (George E. Stone) is the hoodlum's rather reckless younger brother and when he is picked up for a fatal hit and run, it sets up a complex sting operation that might finally bring down the kingpin once and for all. The story is quite well paced with a good dynamic between Wolheim, Meighan and an on-form Helen Hayes as the ambitious and not so choosy nightclub singer "Marie" - a woman ends up with a pivotal role to play in their scheme. The whole ensemble works well exuding degree of menace and hatefulness, of ambition and greed - and yes, there's even a slight hint of honour and decency too. The production is a bit limited, it does have quite a stagey and poorly lit look to it for most of the time, but the writing and characterisations help keep it well worth a watch - ideally with a live accompaniment if you can.