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Blackwell's Island

Racketeer Bull Bransom controls all the activities on the New York docks, he extorting "protection" moneys from individuals and businesses on the docks, his men ultimately beating those who do not pay. He has many people in authority in his back pockets, many of those who are afraid to stand up to him and the political machine behind him. He also sets in his sights anyone who he believes he cannot control and/or crosses him. Within the few who do not seem to be afraid to call him out is newspaper reporter Tim Haydon. When a situation doesn't go quite the way that Bull expects, he is sentenced to a stint at Blackwell's Island prison. However, with the warden among those in his control, Bull is able to continue his racketeering from behind bars in relative comfort. When he is personally affected by Bull's actions from behind bars, Tim goes on a dangerous mission to prove Bull's criminal activities in his incarceration, Tim whose plan includes being incarcerated himself at Blackwell's Island where he will have no official inside help. Part of what Tim has to overcome is that Bull knows who he is, so Tim has to find some way for Bull to take him into his confidence.

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Cast & Crew See All

John Garfield
Tim Haydon
Rosemary Lane
Sunny Walsh
Dick Purcell
Terry Walsh

Awards

  • 1939 - Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (February) - winner
  • 1939 - Photoplay Award - Best Pictures of the Month (February) - winner

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