In the world of film noir, Lawrence Tierney was a go-to actor when you needed someone who could authentically embody pure psychopathy on the screen. The reason behind this choice is simple: Tierney's real-life persona wasn't too far removed from the characters he portrayed. He had a reputation for being somewhat unhinged, and his uncontrollable temper often led to lost opportunities in the industry, including roles he missed out on due to fistfights and bar brawls. Nevertheless, Tierney managed a modest comeback in his later years, primarily in television, and continued to be in demand as a character actor.
In The Hoodlum, Tierney takes on the role of Vincent Lubeck, a man up for parole after serving a 5-10 year sentence for armed robbery. The head of the Parole Board argues against his early release, asserting that Vincent remains a dangerous criminal undeserving of leniency. However, following a heartfelt plea from Vincent's mother, Mrs. Lubeck (Lisa Golm), the parole board, primarily composed of sympathetic liberals, decides to grant him parole.
Once Vincent returns home, he resents having to work for his brother Johnny (played by Tierney's real-life brother, Edward), who owns a small gas station. The story takes an intriguing turn when Johnny's fiancée Rosa (Allene Roberts) initially resists Vincent but eventually falls for him. However, Rosa tragically jumps off the roof, revealing that she was carrying Vincent's child. The fact that this development managed to pass the production code at the time is a story in itself.
Later, when Vincent's mother learns of Rosa's fate, she blames Vincent for the suicide. Vincent, surprisingly, presents a plausible defense. He argues that Rosa was under the illusion that she could change him and have him marry her. Additionally, he points out that it was Rosa who threw Johnny aside without a second thought by being drawn to the "bad boy" allure of Vincent. Ultimately, no one forced her to jump off the roof, as Vincent astutely highlights.
Vincent's power over women adds depth to his character, making him more than just a hotheaded troublemaker. He manipulates Eileen (Marjorie Riordan), a secretary at a bank across the street, to gather information about armored car pickups. However, Eileen proves to have more resilience than Rosa and eventually kicks Vincent out of her apartment at gunpoint when he becomes a fugitive following a botched bank robbery (which we will discuss shortly).
Indeed, the weakest aspect of the film is the bank robbery itself. Vincent chooses a bank conveniently located across the street from his brother's gas station, which is not a wise decision considering that both the police and his parole officer are well aware of his whereabouts. While Vincent recruits accomplices, he lacks the finesse of Cagney's Cody Jarrett in White Heat, failing to manipulate the gang members to his advantage. As a result, they double-cross him and steal his share of the robbery loot.
The only significant twist in the robbery involves Vincent's idea to escape by blending in with a funeral procession originating from a nearby mortuary, which is also across the street from the bank.
The Hoodlum delivers a satisfying resolution in its third act. There's a powerful scene where Vincent, being pursued by the police, returns to his mother, who turns against him on her deathbed. She finally admits that she deluded herself about his potential for rehabilitation and boldly declares that he deserves to end up dead in the city dump. After she suffers a heart attack and dies in bed, Johnny takes Vincent at gunpoint to the city dump. However, Johnny, possessing a compassionate nature, cannot bring himself to kill his own brother, leaving the police to deliver the expected coup de grâce.
While The Hoodlum may fall short of the brilliance of White Heat, Tierney's compelling performance, supported by Roberts and Riordan as the two women entangled with the dangerous psychopath Vincent, ensures the film still has its captivating moments. Special mention should be given to Lisa Golm for her portrayal of the mother, who only realizes the truth when it is far too late.
In The Hoodlum, Tierney takes on the role of Vincent Lubeck, a man up for parole after serving a 5-10 year sentence for armed robbery. The head of the Parole Board argues against his early release, asserting that Vincent remains a dangerous criminal undeserving of leniency. However, following a heartfelt plea from Vincent's mother, Mrs. Lubeck (Lisa Golm), the parole board, primarily composed of sympathetic liberals, decides to grant him parole.
Once Vincent returns home, he resents having to work for his brother Johnny (played by Tierney's real-life brother, Edward), who owns a small gas station. The story takes an intriguing turn when Johnny's fiancée Rosa (Allene Roberts) initially resists Vincent but eventually falls for him. However, Rosa tragically jumps off the roof, revealing that she was carrying Vincent's child. The fact that this development managed to pass the production code at the time is a story in itself.
Later, when Vincent's mother learns of Rosa's fate, she blames Vincent for the suicide. Vincent, surprisingly, presents a plausible defense. He argues that Rosa was under the illusion that she could change him and have him marry her. Additionally, he points out that it was Rosa who threw Johnny aside without a second thought by being drawn to the "bad boy" allure of Vincent. Ultimately, no one forced her to jump off the roof, as Vincent astutely highlights.
Vincent's power over women adds depth to his character, making him more than just a hotheaded troublemaker. He manipulates Eileen (Marjorie Riordan), a secretary at a bank across the street, to gather information about armored car pickups. However, Eileen proves to have more resilience than Rosa and eventually kicks Vincent out of her apartment at gunpoint when he becomes a fugitive following a botched bank robbery (which we will discuss shortly).
Indeed, the weakest aspect of the film is the bank robbery itself. Vincent chooses a bank conveniently located across the street from his brother's gas station, which is not a wise decision considering that both the police and his parole officer are well aware of his whereabouts. While Vincent recruits accomplices, he lacks the finesse of Cagney's Cody Jarrett in White Heat, failing to manipulate the gang members to his advantage. As a result, they double-cross him and steal his share of the robbery loot.
The only significant twist in the robbery involves Vincent's idea to escape by blending in with a funeral procession originating from a nearby mortuary, which is also across the street from the bank.
The Hoodlum delivers a satisfying resolution in its third act. There's a powerful scene where Vincent, being pursued by the police, returns to his mother, who turns against him on her deathbed. She finally admits that she deluded herself about his potential for rehabilitation and boldly declares that he deserves to end up dead in the city dump. After she suffers a heart attack and dies in bed, Johnny takes Vincent at gunpoint to the city dump. However, Johnny, possessing a compassionate nature, cannot bring himself to kill his own brother, leaving the police to deliver the expected coup de grâce.
While The Hoodlum may fall short of the brilliance of White Heat, Tierney's compelling performance, supported by Roberts and Riordan as the two women entangled with the dangerous psychopath Vincent, ensures the film still has its captivating moments. Special mention should be given to Lisa Golm for her portrayal of the mother, who only realizes the truth when it is far too late.