Man Against The Mob: The Chinatown Murders (1989)

Set in 1940s Los Angeles, two down on their luck winos (Charles Haid, Joe Tornatore) witness a gangland murder. When one of them (Tornatore) is killed, the other is put under police protection by the head of the mob squad (George Peppard). What follows is a tale of police corruption, sex trafficking and several retaliation killings. Directed by Michael Pressman (who also plays a tailor in the film), this is a pretty good crime drama with noir-ish overtones and a marvelous authentic 1940s atmosphere. Originally made for television, the version I watched was probably intended for theatrical showings overseas as there was graphic nudity which would never have been allowed on an NBC movie of the week in 1989! Peppard, looking wonderfully paunchy and seedy, brings an appropriately weary authority to his police detective. Peppard is reunited with his BLUE MAX co-star Ursula Andress playing a sex trafficker while using a posh nightclub as a front. With Richard Bradford, Jason Beghe, Julia Nickson and Norman Alden.