''I Mobster'' (originally released in the UK as ''The Mobster'') is a 1958

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

crime-drama film directed by

Roger Corman Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926) is an American film director, producer, and actor. He has been called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works t ...

. The film features a cameo of famous burlesque star Lili St. Cyr.

Plot

Joe Sante is a small time crook, who works as a bookie's runner and small time drug pusher. Through ruthlessness and hard work, he begins to climb the ranks of organized crime until he becomes one of the main crime czars in his city. Eventually, he is betrayed and killed by his criminal cohorts who desire his wealth and power.Frank, A. (2000) The Films of Roger Corman: Shooting my way out of Trouble. Batsford Press

Cast

Steve Cochran Steve Cochran (born Robert Alexander Cochran, May 25, 1917 – June 15, 1965) was an American film, television and stage actor. He attended the University of Wyoming. After a stint working as a cowboy, Cochran developed his acting skills in loc ...

as Joe Sante *

Lita Milan Lita Milan also known as Lita Trujillo (born 1933) is an American actress. Her film credits include ''The Violent Men'' (1955), ''Desert Sands'' (1955), ''Gun Brothers'' (1956), ''The Ride Back'' (1957), ''Bayou'' (1957), ''The Left Handed Gun'' ...

as Teresa Porter * Robert Strauss as Black Frankie *

Celia Lovsky Celia Lovsky (born Cäcilia Josefina Lvovsky, February 21, 1897 – October 12, 1979) was an Austrian-American actress. She was born in Vienna,Lili St. Cyr as Herself * John Brinkley as Ernie Porter *

Grant Withers Granville Gustavus Withers (January 17, 1905 – March 27, 1959) was an American film actor who acted under the screen name Grant Withers. With early beginnings in the silent era, Withers moved into sound films, establishing himself with a lis ...

as Paul Moran * Yvette Vickers as The Blonde *

Frank Gerstle Francis M. Gerstle (September 27, 1915 – February 23, 1970) was an American character actor who appeared in supporting roles in numerous films, radio programs and TV shows following World War II. Biography Gerstle's notable appearances inc ...

as District Attorney *

Robert Shayne Robert Shayne (born Robert Shaen Dawe, October 4, 1900 – November 29, 1992) was an American actor whose career lasted for over 60 years. He was best known for portraying Inspector Bill Henderson in the American television series '' Adven ...

as Senator *

Wally Cassell Wally Cassell (born Oswaldo Silvestri Trippilini Rolando Vincenza Castellano; March 3, 1912 – April 2, 2015) was an Italian-born American character actor and businessman. Early years Wally Cassell was born as Oswaldo Silvestri Trippilini ...

as Cherry Nose Sirago (adult) *

Jeri Southern Jeri Southern (born Genevieve Lillian Hering, August 5, 1926 – August 4, 1991) was an American jazz singer and pianist. Early years Born Genevieve Lillian Hering in Royal, Nebraska, United States, Southern was the granddaughter of a German p ...

as Singer

Production

Filming started 15 July 1958. It was Corman's biggest budgeted production to date. Cochrane was borrowed from Robert Alexander Productions. Independent film producer Edward L. Alperson brought the screen play to Corman. The screenplay was written by

Steve Fisher Steve Fisher may refer to: * Steve Fisher (American basketball coach) (born 1945), American college basketball coach * Steve Fisher (writer) (1913–1980), American writer of satirical stories * Steve Fisher (soccer) (born 1981), American soccer pl ...

Reception

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' praised the movie, especially the portrait of the Cochran's rise and fall. The magazine also praised the directing and acting in the movie. ''

The Monthly Film Bulletin ''The Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 to April 1991, when it merged with ''Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those with a ...

'' found the black humor to elevate the movie over its rather episodic story. CEA Film Report however found the movie offer nothing new or different. Corman thought the film lacked the depth of ''

Machine Gun Kelly George Kelly Barnes (July 18, 1895 – July 18, 1954), better known by his pseudonym "Machine Gun Kelly", was an American gangster from Memphis, Tennessee, active during the Prohibition era. His nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thomp ...

''.

References

External links