Racket Busters (1938)

In the shadowy corners of Manhattan's trucking industry, a nefarious underworld seizes control. At the helm is the ruthless John "Czar" Martin (Humphrey Bogart), a gangster with an iron fist who desires nothing less than complete dominion over the city's trucking rackets. Utilizing brutal force, Martin and his gang terrorize independent truckers, compelling them into their sinister fold. Among the defiant few are Skeets Wilson (Allen Jenkins) and Denny Jordan (George Brent), proud owners of a modest trucking enterprise. Their resistance, however, is met with relentless violence and intimidation, pushing Skeets to relinquish his stake, and forcing Denny to dispatch his pregnant wife, Nora (Gloria Dickson), away from the city's escalating danger. In a desperate bid to ensure Nora's safety, Denny robs Martin, an act that binds him further into the gangster's clutches. Meanwhile, the city's only hope rests with Hugh Allison (Walter Abel), a lawyer with a knack for ensnaring gangsters. Despite his relentless pursuit, Allison struggles to crack Martin's stronghold as fear silences potential witnesses. His determination takes a turning point when Denny refuses to testify, prompting Allison to incarcerate him. Martin's response is swift and severe, instigating a citywide strike that jeopardizes the food supply. With the city on the brink of chaos and his wife's respect at stake, Denny is faced with a defining decision. Will he bow to Martin's reign or choose a path of righteousness? As the city's fate hangs in the balance, "Racket Busters" (1938) unfolds, drawing viewers into a thrilling tale of courage, corruption, and redemption.

Racket Busters is a crime movie featuring Humphrey Bogart.

Racket Busters is currently streaming on TCM.