Big Town Czar

Big Town Czar
Big Town Czar
Directed by	Arthur Lubin
Written by	Edmund Hartmann
Starring	Barton MacLane; Tom Brown
Narrated by	Ed Sullivan
Cinematography	Elwood Bredell
Music by	Charles Previn
Production; company	Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release dates	May 3, 1939 (New York City); May 11, 1939 (United States);
Running time	66 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Big Town Czar is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Barton MacLane and Tom Brown.^[1]^[2]

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 lie 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.^[3] Barton MacLane was cast in December.^[4]

Lubin was attached to the film in February 1939.^[5]

Filming started 24 February 1939.^[6]

Reception

The New York Times called it "a bustling little melodrama."^[7]

References

^ Big Town Czar Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 6, Iss. 61, (Jan 1, 1939): 113.
^ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOODD New York Times 3 Aug 1938: 15.
^ '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.
^ Special to The New York Times. (1939, Feb 17). SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD. New York Times
^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 24 Feb 1939: 21.
^ 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.

External links

Big Town Czar at IMDb
Big Town Czar at TCMDB

This article about a mystery film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] Big Town Czar Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 6, Iss. 61, (Jan 1, 1939): 113.

[2] Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.

[3] SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOODD New York Times 3 Aug 1938: 15.

[4] '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.

[5] Special to The New York Times. (1939, Feb 17). SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD. New York Times

[6] SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 24 Feb 1939: 21.

[7] 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.

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