Inside the Mafia *** (1959, Cameron Mitchell, Robert Strauss, Grant Richards, Ted de Corsia, Carol Nugent) – Classic Movie Review 13,626

Cameron Mitchell and Grant Richards are highly effective as rival Mafia mobsters in the 1959 crime film noir Inside the Mafia.

Director Edward L Cahn’s 1959 film noir Inside the Mafia is written by Orville H Hampton, and stars Cameron Mitchell, Robert Strauss, Grant Richards, Ted de Corsia, Carol Nugent and Edward Platt.

Cameron Mitchell and Grant Richards are highly effective as rival Mafia mobsters named Tony Ledo and Johnny Lucero. Ledo intends to kill Lucero and take over.

There’s perhaps a bit too much talk and too little action in this low-budget crime thriller. But the film is robust and atmospheric, short and sharp. There are well cast stars, and there is an extremely impressive support cast, especially Edward Platt as Dan Regent, Robert Strauss as Lucero’s gunman Sam Galey, and Ted de Corsia as Augie Martello.

The script is based on the 1957 murder of Albert Anastasia, one of America’s most ruthless and feared organized crime bosses, and the subsequent Apalachin Meeting, a national Cosa Nostra summit attended by an estimated 100 Mafiosi from the US, Italy and Cuba.

Albert Anastasia [Umberto Anastasio] was one of the founders of the American Mafia, and a co-founder and boss of Murder, Inc. He became boss of the Luciano crime family which became the Gambino crime family. He was murdered on 25 October 1957, on the orders of Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino, who became the boss of the family.  Vito Genovese wanted to legitimise his new power by holding a historic summit of the American Mafia at the home of mobster Joseph ‘Joe the Barber’ Barbara, in Apalachin, New York, on 14 November 1957.

Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Robert Strauss, Grant Richards, Ted de Corsia, Carol Nugent, James Brown, Elaine Edwards, Edward Platt, Richard Karlan, Louis Jean Heydt, Frank Gerstle, House Peters Jr, Jack Kenney, Carl Milletaire, Michael Monroe, Stephen Roberts, Hal Torey, Sidney Clute, Anthony Warde, and Antony Carbone.

Inside the Mafia is directed by Edward L Cahn, runs 75 minutes, is made by Premium Pictures, is released by United Artists, is written by Orville H Hampton, is shot in black and white by Maury Gertsman, is produced by Edward Small and Robert E Kent, is scored by Albert Glasser, and is designed by William Glasgow.

Release: September 1959 (US).

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,626

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