Racketeers in Exile Poster

Racketeers in Exile 1937

★ 6.01 votes60 min📅 1937-03-30

"SHE MUSCLED IN ON HIS HEART!"

Dive into the gritty world of 1930s gangster films with *Racketeers in Exile (1937)*, directed by the sharp-eyed Erle C. Kenton.

Director: Erle C. Kenton

Cast

George Bancroft
George Bancroft
William Waldo
Evelyn Venable
Evelyn Venable
Myrtle Thornton
Wynne Gibson
Wynne Gibson
'Babe' DeVoe
Marc Lawrence
Marc Lawrence
'Blackie' White
John Gallaudet
John Gallaudet
'Happy'
George McKay
George McKay
'Horseface'
William Burress
William Burress
Thornton
Helen Lowell
Helen Lowell
Mrs.Abigail Thornton
Jack Rube Clifford
Jack Rube Clifford
Thyrus Jamison
Garry Owen
Garry Owen
Sy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Racketeers in Exile (1937) about?

This 1930s crime drama follows a notorious gangster and his crew as they hide out in their hometown, only to stumble upon a religious revival. Tempted by the chance to exploit the community's guilt, the boss reinvents himself as a born-again evangelist to swindle local businessmen. The story explores themes of deception, hypocrisy, and the blurred lines between crime and redemption.

Who directed Racketeers in Exile?

The film was directed by Erle C. Kenton, known for his work in crime dramas and comedies during the 1930s and 40s.

Who stars in Racketeers in Exile?

The film stars George Bancroft as the gangster kingpin, Evelyn Venable as his love interest, and Wynne Gibson as his sharp-tongued associate.

Is Racketeers in Exile (1937) worth watching?

While it's a lesser-known gem from the era, *Racketeers in Exile* offers a compelling mix of crime drama and moral ambiguity. Its tight 60-minute runtime and thematic depth make it a solid pick for fans of 1930s gangster films, though it may lack the polish of bigger studio productions.

How long is Racketeers in Exile?

The film runs for 60 minutes, a brisk runtime typical of many 1930s releases.

About Racketeers in Exile (1937) — Gangster Drama with a Twist of Redemption

Dive into the gritty world of 1930s gangster films with *Racketeers in Exile (1937)*, directed by the sharp-eyed Erle C. Kenton. This crime drama blends raw underworld tension with a twist of moral redemption, as a ruthless mob boss and his gang retreat to their hometown only to stumble upon a fiery religious revival. Seduced by the chance to exploit the community's newfound guilt, the kingpin reinvents himself as a charismatic evangelist, swindling local businessmen with a veneer of holiness. The film crackles with the era's signature atmosphere—shadowy alleys, dramatic confrontations, and a tangle of deceit—all wrapped in a story that questions whether faith or greed truly drives human behavior.

Starring the magnetic George Bancroft as the cunning gangster, Evelyn Venable as the idealistic woman caught in his web, and Wynne Gibson as the sharp-tongued femme fatale, *Racketeers in Exile* delivers a morally ambiguous tale where the line between sinner and saint blurs. Themes of hypocrisy, corruption, and fleeting redemption pulse through its 60-minute runtime, offering a brisk yet impactful critique of power and manipulation in a small-town setting.