The Mayor of 44th Street

The Mayor of 44th Street
Directed by	Alfred E. Green
Written by	Robert Hardy Andrews
Screenplay by	Lewis R. Foster Frank Ryan
Based on	The Mayor of 44th Street 1940 story in Collier's by John Cleveland and Luther Davis
Produced by	Cliff Reid
Starring	George Murphy
Cinematography	Robert De Grasse
Edited by	Irene Morra
Music by	C. Bakaleinikoff
Distributed by	RKO Pictures
Release date	May 15, 1942 (1942-05-15) (U.S.)
Running time	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Mayor of 44th Street is a 1942 film directed by Alfred E. Green. It stars George Murphy and Anne Shirley. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943.

Plot

George Murphy is a reformed crook who has made a success as a booking agent for big bands at supper clubs. Richard Barthelmess is his ex-partner who is up for parole and needs the promise of a job to get out of prison. George volunteers to help out and offers him a place at his agency.

Before long, Richard has returned to his old ways and is pushing “ protection “ to the bands they represent. When Murphy finds out, he immediately cans the crook.

A spree of violence ensues as the criminal gang ups the ante. Barthelmess turns up the pressure on Murphy and torches his best club. Murphy gets a gun and goes to settle the score but he’s outsmarted. Murphy is being beaten by Barthelmess’ gang when a crowd of ordinary citizens arrive and save the day.

Cast

• George Murphy as Joe Jonathan
• Anne Shirley as Jessey Lee
• William Gargan as Tommy Fallon
• Richard Barthelmess as Ed Kirby
• Joan Merrill as Vicky Lane
• Freddy Martin as himself
• Rex Downing as Bits McKarg
• Millard Mitchell as Herman
• Mary Wickes as Mamie

External links

• The Mayor of 44th Street at IMDb
• The Mayor of 44th Street at AllMovie
• The Mayor of 44th Street at the TCM Movie Database
• The Mayor of 44th Street at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films