The Racket

Play trailer

The Racket

1928,

1h 10m,

Crime/

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

100+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In this Prohibition-era silent film, James McQuigg (Thomas Meighan) is an honest police captain in a city ruled by gangsters and corrupt politicians. McQuigg tries repeatedly to arrest Nick Scarsi (Louis Wolheim), a bootlegging kingpin, but can't get charges to stick. After rejecting Scarsi's bribes, the incorruptible McQuigg is transferred out of town, but refuses to be intimidated. When Scarsi's younger brother is caught in a hit-and-run, McQuigg attempts to take down the criminal underworld.

Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

A good story, plus good direction, plus a great cast and minus dumb supervision, is responsible for another great underworld film.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 15, 2026

3/4

The Racket takes some interesting detours in its story.

Go to Full Review

Robert E. Sherwood

LIFE

Oct 5, 2021

Mr. Meighan, who has recently been counted out as a popular star, gives what is easily the best performance of his career.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Mar 26, 2007

B

It's easy to understand how it gripped audiences during the more primitive days of filmmaking.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Aug 7, 2006

B

Produced by Howard Hughes and well-directed by Lewis Milestone, this yarn, about a police officer trying to control the mob, was one of the few crime-gangster films to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar until the 1970s.

Go to Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

Jun 12, 2006

3/5

It's effortless entertainment, a good, solid, late silent film.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Albus W

Apr 20, 2018

The Racket is one very underrated, unfortunately little seen early crime flick and Oscar nominee which was very influential for its genre and very well made across the board with an excellent cinematic feel to it, artistic cinematography and three terrific main performances. It is rushed and short in runtime, but filled with memorable characters, a good story and a particularly effective, honest and realistic ending.

See more

Read all reviews

Lewis Milestone

Director

Thomas Meighan

Police Captain James McQuigg

Marie Prevost

Helen Hayes

Louis Wolheim

Nick Scarsi

George Stone

Joe Scarsi

John Darrow

Cub Reporter Ames

The War at Home

100%

80%

The War at Home

Watchlist

Svengali

80%

81%

Svengali

Watchlist

Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision

89%

82%

Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision

Watchlist

Rogue Cop

36%

Rogue Cop

Watchlist

The Facts of Murder

83%

The Facts of Murder

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this Prohibition-era silent film, James McQuigg (Thomas Meighan) is an honest police captain in a city ruled by gangsters and corrupt politicians. McQuigg tries repeatedly to arrest Nick Scarsi (Louis Wolheim), a bootlegging kingpin, but can't get charges to stick. After rejecting Scarsi's bribes, the incorruptible McQuigg is transferred out of town, but refuses to be intimidated. When Scarsi's younger brother is caught in a hit-and-run, McQuigg attempts to take down the criminal underworld.

Director: Lewis Milestone
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Crime, Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 1928, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2017
Runtime: 1h 10m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings