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New Orleans Uncensored is a dismal and entertaining noir waterfront drama set in the French Quarter and docks of New Orleans. This low-budget film punches above its balance sheet, as all such films must do, offering viewers an engrossing experience from the opening sequence.
The plot revolves around freight theft on the docks, with several suspects in play. However, rather than keeping the audience guessing about the perpetrators, the film takes a unique approach by revealing the culprits early on and focusing on the systematic destruction of a criminal network.
The movie boasts a talented cast, with Beverly Garland standing out as a particular bright spot. Her performance, along with those of other stars and supporting actors, breathes life into the well-crafted story. The tight writing, editing, and direction work in harmony to create a suspenseful narrative that holds the viewer's attention despite the known identity of the guilty parties – a challenging feat that New Orleans Confidential accomplishes with aplomb.
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While the film excels in many areas, the camerawork is a notable weak point. Though adequate, it often employs ill-advised angles, seemingly reaching for an artistic, noir-inspired look but falling short of the mark. Nevertheless, this shortcoming does little to detract from the overall quality of the movie.
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| Nifty fifites desk to camera in New Orleans Uncensored (1955) |
New Orleans Confidential belongs to a sub-genre of crime films that emerged in the 1950s B-movie landscape. These "exposés" often featured subtitles like "Uncensored," "Confidential," or "Exposed," and typically focused on organized crime's infiltration of big cities or industries following the repeal of Prohibition. While many films in this category were unremarkable, some, like Kansas City Confidential (1955) and The Phenix City Story (1955), have become bona fide classics of the style.
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Drawing inspiration from the award-winning "On the Waterfront" (1952), "New Orleans Confidential" may not reach the same heights but still manages to convey a certain gravitas. This is due in part to the direction of B-movie veteran William Castle and the solid performance of Arthur Franz, who previously impressed audiences in the psychological film noir "The Sniper" (1952).
The cast is further bolstered by talented character actors like Mike Mazurki and Michael Ansara, as well as B-movie favorite Beverly Garland.
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The on-location footage of New Orleans effectively sets the stage for the film's exploration of mob infiltration, dockside violence, and worker intimidation. Despite its limitations, "New Orleans Confidential" rises above average, offering viewers a compelling glimpse into the gritty world of mid-20th century organized crime on the waterfront.
New Orleans Confidential is a gritty waterfront drama set in the French Quarter and docks of New Orleans, offering a compelling look into 1950s organized crime.
The plot revolves around a sophisticated freight theft operation where criminals manipulate crates and paperwork to steal goods. Interestingly, the film showcases an early electronic tracking device used to monitor crate movements, which proves instrumental in dismantling the criminal network.
A standout feature of the movie is its inclusion of prominent New Orleans locals in the cast. Among them are Al Chittenden, president of local union 1418; Joseph L. Scheuering, a police superintendent once charged with malfeasance; Victor Schiro, who later became mayor; Howard L. Dey, future Fire Superintendent; boxing champions Pete Herman and Ralph Dupas; and Judge Walter B. Hamlin, who would later serve as chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
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The participation of these figures likely facilitated production, though it's worth noting that New Orleans grappled with significant police corruption during this period.
The film employs typical film noir narration, lending a cliché feel to its portrayal of organized crime infiltrating the Port of New Orleans, then the second-largest in the United States. Arthur Franz stars as an honest man caught in the crossfire, consoling a murdered friend's widow and navigating the advances of a duplicitous gangster's moll seeking information.
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Beverly Garland and Helene Stanton play the contrasting female roles, their similar bleached-blonde appearances creating intentional confusion for the viewer. The film doesn't shy away from violence, with Franz delving deeper into danger as he uncovers the truth behind the racket.
While New Orleans Confidential doesn't extensively explore the city's famous Bourbon Street nightlife, it effectively tells a waterfront story that could apply to any port city. The movie's opening and closing aerial shots of New Orleans take on a poignant quality in hindsight, given the devastating hurricane that would strike the city decades later.
The film rises above average for its genre, thanks to tight writing, editing, and direction. Despite some shortcomings in cinematography, with ill-advised camera angles attempting a noir aesthetic, the movie succeeds in creating suspense even when the culprits are known to the audience.
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This low-budget production manages to deliver an engaging experience, offering viewers a glimpse into the complex world of mid-20th century organized crime on the New Orleans waterfront and shipped to the feasting eyes and ears with the following salacious tags:
Filmed at White Heat...At the Bottom of Desire Street!
Rips the Lid Off The Gangster-Goon-Girl Syndicate!
Picture is the 'shape up' hiring process.
New Orleans Uncensored is a compelling noir docudrama produced by Sam Katzman for Columbia Pictures. Set in the bustling port of New Orleans, the film stars Arthur Franz as Dan Corbett, a former Navy man with dreams of operating a timber transport vessel on the Mississippi River.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of the city's docks, where corruption lurks beneath the surface. Dan becomes entangled in a web of organized crime led by Floyd "Zero" Saxon, played by Michael Ansara. The film explores themes of greed, violence, and the dark underbelly of capitalism, with Beverly Garland's character Marie Reilly serving as a voice of criticism against unchecked business ambition.
Director William Castle injects realism into the production through on-location filming, capturing iconic New Orleans landmarks and establishments. The film's authenticity is further enhanced by cameo appearances from real-life boxing champions and the inclusion of professional wrestler Mike Mazurki in a supporting role.
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New Orleans Uncensored shares thematic elements with Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront, particularly in its exploration of waterfront corruption and boxing subculture. The film distinguishes itself through its portrayal of New Orleans as an oppressive, heat-soaked urban maze where tensions run high and escape routes are limited.
While the film excels in its authentic portrayal of the city and its noir elements, it occasionally falters in scenes featuring the antagonists. Nevertheless, New Orleans Uncensored remains a notable entry in the film noir genre, offering a gritty glimpse into the criminal underworld of 1950s New Orleans.
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New Orleans Uncensored (1955)
Directed by William Castle
Written by Orville H. Hampton, Lewis Meltzer | Produced by Sam Katzman | Cinematography by Henry Freulich | Distributed by Columbia Pictures | Release date April 30, 1955 | Running time 76 minutes
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