Customer Reviews

Hoodlum Empire [VHS]

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3 star:		(1)
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HOODLUM EMPIRE is a late-era film noir with a solid cast headed by Brian Donlevy. The story was clearly influenced by the many then-ongoing government investigations into mob and Communist activities.

SYNOPSIS--
Gang kingpin Nick Mancani's nephew (Joe) is being investigated by a Congressional committee on organized crime. The older man's violent associate (Charley) wants to make sure Joe won't be alive for his court date, but Nick refuses to allow a "hit." While Charley appears in front of the committee, part of Joe's story is told in flashback.

Upon returning stateside, WWII vet Joe tells his uncle he has no interest in inheriting the family "business" and wants to go straight. Flash to the present: After Charley's cleverly-crafted testimony implicates Joe in gang activities, he kidnaps the young man in order to kill him, but again Nick intercedes. Joe's uncle tells him that he's been set up for a fall, which Nick believes is preferable to being murdered.

At the next hearing, Joe's ex-girlfriend Connie refuses to implicate him (as ordered by Nick and Charley). Now it's Nick's turn on the stand. Will he further indict his nephew or instead offer exculpatory testimony?


As of 1/09, "Hoodlum Empire" was not available on DVD.

In 1955, Brian Donlevy co-starred with Cornel Wilde and and Richard Conte in the highly regarded noir, THE BIG COMBO. (VHS edition) (DVD edition)


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(5.7) Hoodlum Empire (1952) - Brian Donlevy/Claire Trevor/Forrest Tucker/Vera Ralston/Luther Adler/John Russell/Gene Lockhart/Grant Withers/Richard Jaeckel (uncredited: Don Haggerty/William Schallert/Lee ShumwayCharles Trowbridge)