The Miami Story

I did not expect to see Barry Sullivan and Luther Adler together in a Fred S Sear's crime flick and produced by the terrible Sam Katzman who, for once, doesn't bring us some lousy junk material. That doesn't make it a terrific crime flick however just an acceptable time waster,, with too much off voice, as in an "expose" cime film. Good photography and good directing. Do not confound this Fred Sears' MIAMI STORY with Fred Sears' MIAMI EXPOSE made just a bit later. Same kind of stuff. I prefered CHICAGO SYNDICATE and also INSIDE DETROIT, also from the same Sears- Katzman collaboration, for whom the best result is and will forever remain EARTH VS FLYING SAUCERS.

Twenty years ago, Barry Sullivan was a big man in the rackets. Now, with gangster Luther Adler running most of Dade County, some honest citizens are trying to clean things up, and Sullivan is their man. He works up a situation in whih he is running some Cuban gangsters (actually Cuban policemen) to take over Adler's empire, triggering an internal war. Adler is supposed by his protege/hitman John Baer, and by Adele Jurgens, who runs several of Adler's businesses, including his escort service . Miss Jurgens' sister, Beverly Garland, is on hand as the good girl caught up in a bad situation.

The acting, under the prolific Fred Sears, is good, and the story wobbles from the tracks laid down by Sullivan to keep things interesting. And, as the voice-over by William Woodson -- this is the era when every crime drama was influenced by DRAGNET -- Miami has been squeaky clean ever since. Just ask Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.

"The Miami Story" begins with a prologue that really isn't necessary. Then, through the story, the same narrator makes a few comments here and there...which again, aren't needed. If you haven't guessed, I don't like such narration...especially when it really doesn't help the film.

The story itself, however, is quite good. Apparently, a mob has taken hold in Miami and a secret committee decides to call in an ex-mobster to help. Mike Flagg (Barry Sullivan) now lives a normal life and he apparently hates the mobs. Now, he returns to Miami...playing up that he is a mobster and is now working with a Cuban mob. This new mob, according to Flagg, is there to take over from the existing mob...in an attempt to get the mob leader (Luther Adler) to try to wipe them out and incriminate themselves. What's next? See the film.

The film is tough, well acted and enjoyable. Not perfect (mostly due to the narration) but very good.

The Miami Story is a fast moving no frills noir story about organized crime in Miami and Dade County. The supposition is that the explosive post World War II growth of the area led to a rise in organized crime and the police force did not grow with the population as well.

Which calls for some drastic measures and a citizen's committee similar to the one that aided in the takedown of Al Capone in Chicago is formed here. Their reluctant operator is former gangster Barry Sullivan who says he's fronting for a Cuban syndicate. It's all one giant con game on the local Miami kingpin Luther Adler.

Adler plays and plays well a lot of criminal types on the screen. He's a smart operator and won't be easy to fool. He also has as his number one trigger man John Baer who really loves his work.

Beverly Garland and Adele Jergens play a pair of sisters, Garland is an entertainer and falls for Sullivan. Jergens is part of Adler's team and I think this might have been her career role. She's a tough cookie in charge of the vice and prostitution part of Adler's criminal empire. I think she was the best in the film.

US Senator George Smathers introduced the film. I suspect that Smathers was looking for a little of Kefauver type publicity to attach itself to him. He was half way through his first term in the Senate and there was sure no downside to him being part of the promotion of The Miami Story.

Smathers is long gone but the film holds up well for today's audience.

The Miami Story from 1954 is told in the usual narration style like many of these crime films, a la Dragnet, almost in a semi documentary fashion.

This one is directed by Fred F. Sears and produced by the normally below-average Sam Katzman. It's actually pretty good, with nice performances by Barry Sullivan, Beverly Garland, Luther Adler, Adele Jergens, and John Baer.

The first thing we see is Senator George Smathers announcing that organized crime has been completely eradicated in Miami. This is how you know the movie is 70 years old.

In the film, a multibillion dollar crime syndicate is run by Tony Brill (Luther Adler). A citizens committee meets privately to figure out what to do.

A reformed mob boss, Mike Flagg, is located and brought in to pretend to move in on Brill's territory. He has a young son, whom he sends to live with friends.

Holly Abbott (Garland) has come to Miami to search for her sister Gwen (Jergens). Gwen is employed by Brill. Since Holly has befriended Flagg, Brill's associates beat her for information on his operation and plans.

Flagg has the police close Brill's gambling club. He retaliates by having Flagg's son (David Kasday) kidnapped.

Some interesting cinematography and exciting scenes. Others felt this film was above average. I think the cast certainly contributes to that, though for me it was an average crime story.