The Big Operator (1959)

A corrupt labor union boss (Mickey Rooney) is under federal investigation. When he denies knowing a convicted felon (Ray Danton) who strong arms for him, to avoid perjury charges he has his thugs put the screws on the witness (Steve Cochran) who can tie the two men together. This "B" picture courtesy of exploitation producer Albert Zugsmith (HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL) is, for the most part, a tough little crime thriller not all that unlike the Warners gangster movies from the 1930s. While it gets rather silly during the film's final seven minutes, it's an acceptable programmer. It's also possibly the only movie where Mamie Van Doren isn't playing some sort of sexpot. Here, she plays an ordinary housewife and mother serving waffles for breakfast and sending her kid (Jay North, TV's DENNIS THE MENACE) to bed without supper for misbehaving. June Cleaver, she ain't! Rooney is suitably repellent as a Jimmy Hoffa stand in and director Charles F. Haas manages to move things swiftly along. With Mel Torme, Jackie Coogan, Leo Gordon, Donald Barry and Ziva Rodann.