Bullets or Ballots

"WHO Rules The Rackets ? This picture puts the finger on the political higher-ups!"

1936 1h 22m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 54

CrimeDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

After Police Captain Dan McLaren becomes police commissioner, former detective Johnny Blake publicly punches him, convincing rackets boss Al Kruger that Blake is sincere in his effort to join the mob. "Bugs" Fenner, meanwhile, is certain that Blake is a police agent.

“WHO Rules The Rackets ? This picture puts the finger on the political higher-ups!”

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Cast

Edward G. Robinson
Johnny Blake
Joan Blondell
Lee Morgan
Barton MacLane
Al Kruger
Humphrey Bogart
Bugs Fenner
Frank McHugh
Herman
Joe King
Dan 'Mac' McLaren
Dick Purcell
Ed Driscoll
George E. Stone
Wires Kagel

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: William Keighley
Writers: Seton I. Miller, Seton I. Miller, Martin Mooney
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

82 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

90 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by William Keighley, shot by Hal Mohr. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Bernhard Kaun. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jack Killifer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Edward G. Robinson and Joan Blondell and Barton MacLane carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "WHO Rules The Rackets ? This picture puts the finger on the political higher-ups!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0027407 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

William Keighley directs. Hal Mohr behind the camera. Bernhard Kaun scores. Jack Killifer cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

182 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
290 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by William Keighley, shot by Hal Mohr. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Bernhard Kaun. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Jack Killifer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Edward G. Robinson and Joan Blondell and Barton MacLane carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "WHO Rules The Rackets ? This picture puts the finger on the political higher-ups!".
8IMDB entry: tt0027407 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
10Classified under 13 themes, including "corruption", "police", "undercover", "film in film".

The technical file

Cinematography: Hal Mohr
Original score: Bernhard Kaun
Editing: Jack Killifer
Runtime: 82 min · 1h 22m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Bullets or Ballots (1936)

Also by

William Keighley

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

talisencrw2016-03-16
★ 9/10
I greatly enjoyed this humdinger that faces off Edward G. Robinson against Humphrey Bogart, with Joan Blondell doing an incredible job as the moll. Another fine Warner Brothers gangster film, with taut direction by William Keighley.

Production companies