The Big Operator (1959)
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Mickey Rooney plays labor racketeer Little Joe Braun in this fast-paced and surprisingly violent drama about one man's determination to clean up his union. Bill Gibson (Steve Cochran) is Little Joe's nemesis and is one of the men who can testify that he saw the labor boss in an incriminating conversation with a known criminal -- something that Little Joe denied under oath. Knowing that Cochran and one other witness can bring him down, the crooked labor boss starts on a campaign of terror. One of Bill's friends is set on fire, someone else is thrown into a cement mixer (in the opening scenes), and finally, Little Joe kidnaps Bill's son Timmy (Jay North). The odds at this point, seem very much in the labor boss' favor. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Mickey Rooney - Little Joe Braun
- Mamie van Doren - Mary Gibson
- Ray Danton - Oscar Wetzel
- Ray Anthony - Slim Claybur-n
- Charles Chaplin, Jr. - Bill Tragg
- Ben Gage - Bert Carr
- Leo Gordon - Danny Sacanzi
- Joey Forman - Raymond Baily
- Steve Cochran - Bill Gibson
- Mel Tormé - Fred McAfee
- Jim Backus - Cliff Heldon
- Jackie Coogan - Edward Brannel
- Billy Daniels - Tony Webson
- Jay North - Timmy Gibson
- Ziva Rodann - Alice McAfee
- Maila "Vampira" Nurmi
- Director(s):
- Charles F. Haas
- Writer(s):
- Alan Rivkin, Robert Smith
- Producer(s):
- Red Doff, Albert Zugsmith
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- Subtitles:
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