Contract on Cherry Street (1977) (TV)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

William A. Graham

Writers:

Edward Anhalt (writer)
Philip Rosenberg (novel)

Release Date:

19 November 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

The partner--and best friend--of a tough New York detective is murdered by killers working for a local mob...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Policeman | New York City | Conspiracy | Assassination

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Frank Sinatra	...	Dep. Insp. Frank Hovannes, Organized Crime Unit (OCU)
Martin Balsam	...	Capt. Ernie Weinberg, OCU
Jay Black	...	Tommy Sindardos, Greek Highjacker
Verna Bloom	...	Emily Hovannes
Joe De Santis	...	Vincenzo Seruto, Crime Lord
Martin Gabel	...	Baruch 'Bob' Waldman, Crime Boss
Harry Guardino	...	Ron Polito, OCU
James Luisi	...	Al Palmini / Arnold Palmer
Michael Nouri	...	Lou Savage, OCU
Marco St. John	...	Eddie Manzaro, Crime Boss / Son of Salvatore Manzaro
Henry Silva	...	Roberto Obregon, OCU
Richard Ward	...	Jack Kittens, Police informant who works for Waldman
Addison Powell	...	Bob Halloran, Head Of OCU
Steve Inwood	...	Fran Marks, Junkie Stoolie
Johnny Barnes	...	Otis Washington, Manzaro's Enforcer

Also Known As:

Stakeout on Cherry Street

Runtime:

145 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Hackensack, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Artanis Productions Inc.

Sinatra takes on the mob

Talk about ego! In this movie, 5'8" 62-year old Frank Sinatra knocks around mob thugs and sends them home crying. Which for a film aiming for a realistic gritty tone, makes it hard to take seriously. Sinatra forms a special cop team to crack down on car thefts in New York City; the team is basically Michael Nouri as the idealistic kid, Henry Silva as the voice of reason (not something Silva was known for playing) and Harry Guardino as a vengeance crazed cop. Somehow, the dedicated team causes a gang war to erupt among the mob families and for a 1970's TV movie, there is a lot more violence than I would expect. The movie gets more and more out of control until Sinatra's mad dash to save the city at the end. Sinatra breaks so many rules, it is really hard to see how he would be able to stay out of jail, much less remain on the job. But hey, this is Sinatra's world and he makes the rules.