The Undercover Man (1949)

A U.S. Treasury agent (Glenn Ford) is frustrated in his attempts to bring down a mob syndicate to justice. Out of fear, no one wants to talk especially after one of Ford's mob contacts (Robert Osterloh) is murdered. Loosely based on the Al Capone case, this is a first rate job by director Joseph H. Lewis. As he proved with GUN CRAZY and THE BIG COMBO, he was adept at tight economical thrillers. This one is a no nonsense, gritty and fairly accurate portrayal of how Capone's empire was finally dismantled after the tax evasion case prepared by the Treasury. While Ford is more than adequate as the determined government agent, the film is bolstered with nice turns by an effective supporting cast down to the smallest parts. Robert Rossen (ALL THE KING'S MEN) produced, the sharp B&W cinematography is by Burnett Guffey (an Oscar winner for BONNIE AND CLYDE) and the solid score by George Duning (3:10 TO YUMA). Among the excellent supporting cast: Nina Foch, James Whitmore in his film debut, Barry Kelley (really good!), Kay Medford, Patricia Barry, Angela Clarke, Joe Mantell, Anthony Caruso, Howard St. John and as the man who turns the case around, Leo Penn (Sean's father).