Anything But Silent Live theatre organ accompaniment by BEN MODEL
THE RACKET
Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 pm | Members $11 | Public $16
Lewis Milestone’s (All Quiet on the Western Front) gripping gangster drama about a shoot-first crusading Chicago cop and his likable Capone-like nemesis was nominated for Best Picture at the very first Academy awards. Despite its success it was banned entirely in Chicago due to its likeness to real events.
Before Scarface, Howard Hughes’ contribution to the gangster film cycle was this bold crime film, directed with verve by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) and starring Thomas Meighan as a shoot-first crusading Chicago cop and Louis Wolheim as his likable Capone-like nemesis. Captain McQuigg, an honest Irish cop, is targeted by bootlegger Nick Scarsi, who informs McQuiqq that it will behoove him to get along with him. McQuigg rebuff s the crime boss’ threat. Whenever McQuigg puts Scarsi or one of his henchmen in jail, a lawyer is ready to gain their immediate release after a call to "The Old Man," the force behind "The Organization" running Chicago. However, McQuigg refuses to give up his fight for justice. Despite The Racket’s success it was banned entirely in Chicago due to its likeness to real events. (USA, 1928, 84min., NR, Silent with English intertitles | Dir. Lewis Milestone)
