The Racket
Seen it?1928 | 84 min | Crime, Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite little lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for fans of newsroom stories and anyone drawn to the darker side of the street. It's about the digging, and what it costs to get the story. A good follow-up to The Asphalt Jungle or Coffy.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Lets scenes breathe, at 1 hr 24 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1928: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you like your heroes clean-cut.
A renegade police captain sets out to catch a sadistic mob boss. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 29K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
The Asphalt Jungle
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
Coffy Saturday SpecialAnother crime drama that's easy to miss.
Hoodlum
Weeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Rogue Agent Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Patton Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lewis Milestone
- Thomas MeighanPolice Captain James McQuigg
- Louis WolheimNick Scarsi
- Marie PrevostHelen Hayes
- G. Pat CollinsPatrolman Johnson
- Henry SedleySpike Corcoran
- George E. StoneJoe Scarsi
- Sam De GrasseDistrict Attorney Welch
- Richard 'Skeets' GallagherMiller
- John DarrowCub Reporter Dave Ames
- Lucien PrivalChick