The Mob (1951)

Written by CinemaSerf on June 2, 2023

When an high-profile murder investigation goes awry, the lead detective "Damico" (Broderick Crawford) is ostensibly thrown under the bus. In reality, though, he is charged by his boss with using his supposed disgrace to infiltrate a gang of hoodlums working the waterfront. This mob is headed up by the slick and ruthless "Castro" (Ernest Borgnine) but he has always been very good at getting his henchmen to do his dirty work for him, and thereby ensuring his continuing Teflon status when it comes to the cops and the courts. "Damico" has his work cut out trying to convince the man that he has genuinely turned his coat. Crawford is quite effective in this film. He carries off the role of big and burly cop turned crook quite well. Neville Brand is also not bad as the muscle "Gunner" but Borgnine is actually quite weak. He doesn't exude any menace and that robs the plot of much potency as we head towards the ever-predictable ending. It's an efficient movie, nothing more - I doubt you will recall it because it gives you very little to want to recall.