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Big Town Czar
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Wikipedia article
'Big Town Czar' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Barton MacLane and Tom Brown.Big Town Czar
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 6, Iss. 61, (Jan 1, 1939): 113.
Plot
New York City newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan relates the story of crime boss Phil Daley's rise and fall. To the disappointment of his parents but delight of younger brother Danny, crime has paid off handsomely for Phil, but he isn't able to discourage Danny from following in his footsteps.
Danny bribes a prizefighter to take a dive, costing rival gangster Mike Luger a lot of money in bets. Danny ends up dead, and Phil needs to lay low because Luger's looking for him, too. He manages to kill Luger, but ends up arrested, convicted and sentenced to die.
Cast
* Barton MacLane as Phil Daley
* Tom Brown as Danny Daley
* Eve Arden as Susan Warren
* Jack La Rue as Mike Luger
* Horace McMahon as Punchy
* Frank Jenks as Sid Travis
* Ed Sullivan as Himself
Production
The film was based on a story by Ed Sullivan. Universal bought it in August 1938.SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOODD New York Times 3 Aug 1938: 15. Barton MacLane was cast in December.'Citadel' Chosen Best Picture in English: Morris in Potter Story Owen Plays Book Broker New MacLane Assignment Davis in 'Poor Nut' Los Angeles Times 17 Dec 1938: A7.
Lubin was attached to the film in February 1939.Special to The New York Times. (1939, Feb 17). SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD. New York Times
Filming started 24 February 1939.SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 24 Feb 1939: 21.
Reception
The 'New York Times' called it "a bustling little melodrama."THE SCREEN: 'Big Town Czar,' at the Criterion, Proves Again That Crime Doesn't Pay--British Preparedness Film
By FRANK S. NUGENT. New York Times 04 May 1939: 33.
References
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