Crime, Inc.

Crime, Inc. is a 1945 American film noir crime film directed by Lew Landers starring Leo Carrillo, Tom Neal and Martha Tilton.

Crime, Inc.
Film poster
Directed by	Lew Landers
Written by	Raymond L. Schrock (screenplay) Martin Mooney (story Crime Incorporated)
Produced by	Leon Fromkess (producer) Martin Mooney (associate producer)
Starring	Leo Carrillo Tom Neal Martha Tilton
Cinematography	James S. Brown Jr.
Edited by	Roy V. Livingston
Music by	Walter Greene
Production company	PRC Pictures
Distributed by	Producers Releasing Corporation
Release date	April 15, 1945 (1945-04-15) (United States)
Running time	75 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot summary

The film centers on Jim Riley, a fearless and principled newspaper journalist who is determined to expose the operations of a powerful and dangerous crime syndicate known as "Crime, Inc." Riley's investigation begins with a series of anonymous tips and leads him into the shadowy underbelly of organized crime, where he uncovers a network of illegal activities, including racketeering, bribery, and murder. His relentless pursuit of the truth earns him both admiration and enemies, as he refuses to back down despite the risks.

Riley's refusal to reveal his sources to the authorities places him in a precarious position. He faces mounting pressure from law enforcement, who demand that he cooperate, and from the crime syndicate, who will stop at nothing to silence him. Threatened with imprisonment for protecting his sources, Riley remains steadfast in his commitment to journalistic integrity, even as the stakes grow higher.

Amid the turmoil, Riley's personal life becomes entangled with his professional mission. He meets and falls in love with Betty Van Cleve, a nightclub singer with a mysterious past. Unbeknownst to Riley at first, Betty is the sister of Mike Egan, one of the syndicate's most ruthless members. This revelation complicates Riley's investigation, as he struggles to reconcile his feelings for Betty with his determination to bring her brother and his associates to justice.

As Riley delves deeper into the syndicate's operations, he uncovers shocking secrets that implicate powerful figures in society, including corrupt officials and law enforcement officers. His investigation puts him in constant danger, with attempts on his life becoming increasingly frequent. Despite the threats, Riley presses on, determined to expose the truth and dismantle the criminal empire.

The tension reaches a boiling point as Riley gathers enough evidence to confront the syndicate's leaders. In a climactic showdown, Riley must outwit the criminals while protecting Betty and ensuring that justice prevails.

Cast

• Leo Carrillo as Anthony Charles "Tony" Marlow
• Tom Neal as Jim Riley
• Martha Tilton as Betty Van Cleve, a.k.a. Betty Egan
• Lionel Atwill as Pat Coyle
• Grant Mitchell as Wayne Clark
• Sheldon Leonard as Capt. Ferrone
• Harry Shannon as Police Commissioner Collins
• Danny Morton as Bugs Kelley a.k.a. Mike Egan
• Virginia Vale as Trixie Waters
• Don Beddoe as Deputy District Attorney Dixon
• George Meeker as Barry North
• Rod Rogers as Henchman Val Lucas

Production

Martin Mooney’s 1935 book Crime Incorporated—written after he served a brief jail term for protecting confidential sources—provided the germ of the screenplay and gave the film its publicity hook.^[1] PRC producer Leon Fromkess secured Mooney as associate producer to lend authenticity, while assigning veteran B-movie director Lew Landers to keep the shoot within a reported 10-day schedule and a negative cost slightly higher than PRC’s 1944 average.^[2]

Filming

Principal photography took place at PRC’s Hollywood facilities in late December 1944 and January 1945. Cinematographer James S. Brown Jr. used low-key lighting and extensive back-projection to stretch sets and create an urban atmosphere on limited sound-stage acreage.^[3]

Release

Crime, Inc. opened on April 15 1945 in New York City at the Rialto Theatre. According to Motion Picture Daily, the picture earned approximately US$6,000 in its second and final week, a modest but acceptable take for a dual-bill programmer on Broadway.^[4]

Censorship

Days before a planned Chicago premiere, the city’s Police Motion Picture Censor Board banned the film outright, objecting to its depiction of municipal corruption. PRC appealed to Police Commissioner James Allman, arguing that the picture had already passed New York state censors without cuts.^[5] The ban was lifted after minor dialogue trims, and the film subsequently played a successful engagement at the Garrick Theatre.

Soundtrack

• Martha Tilton - "I'm Guilty" (Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans)
• Martha Tilton - "Lonely Little Camera Girl" (Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans)
• Martha Tilton - "What a Fool I Was" (Written by Marla Shelton and Nacio Porter Brown as Nacio Porter Brown Jr.)
• "That's It" (Written by Marla Shelton and Nacio Porter Brown as Nacio Porter Brown Jr.)

Legacy

By the 1970s the film’s copyright was not renewed, and it has since entered the public domain in the United States; numerous budget labels have issued it on VHS, DVD and digital platforms.^[6]