The Mob (1951) Broderick Crawford, Betty Buehler, Richard Kiley, Otto Hulett, Matt Crowley, Neville Brand, Ernest Borgnine Movie Review

The Mob (1951)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Ernest Borgnine, Neville Brand and Broderick Crawford in The Mob (1951)

The Mightly Tim Flynn

Whilst buying a ring for his girl Mary (Betty Buehler), detective Damico (Broderick Crawford) hears a gun shot outside only to rush out and find a man stooped over a body in the street. The man says he is a cop, even tosses Damico a badge before fleeing as he is in fact Blackie Clay, a major figure in the mob. Although reprimanded for being duped by a wanted man Damico's suspension is a play with him going undercover as Tim Flynn, a former con in order to get to the bottom of who is behind a series of rackets as well as get Blackie Clay. Quickly Damico's pushy manner makes him a few enemies and discovers not everything is as it seems.

Anyone who frequents The Movie Scene knows that I don't go wild for film-noir like some do, the reason being is that often a loved movie will be too heavy handed with the styling and the characters for my liking. But "The Mob" whilst certainly having plenty of style and characters who all talk in that tough guy style of way it also has a nice storyline which builds and throws some fun twists in to the mix as we watch Damico work his way in to the waterfront rackets and puts himself in plenty of danger. There is some simple intelligence to all this which draws you in such as having been "invited" to a party Damico is prepared to be stitched up for a murder and being arrested.

Now I am not going to go in to the story anymore as there is plenty of strength in it but I will say is that Broderick Crawford is in great form through out the movie. He makes his alter ego, Tim Flynn, a believable character who drinks heavy, acts tough and is not afraid when a gun is pointed at him. And the performances else where are just as good with Ernest Borgnine and Richard Kiley also on fine form. The only thing is that once again this is one of those movies where at times the combination of everyone talking tough with some over worked dialogue makes it sound forced.

What this all boils down to is that "The Mob" is simply a nicely worked undercover cop story with some interest characters and a storyline with some interesting developments as well as some nice action. The one thing which didn't always work for me it that at times the combination of over worked dialogue and accent makes this stereotypical.


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