Rumble on the Docks

Jimmy Smigelski, living near the docks of Brooklyn, is quick to help when a neighborhood girl, Della, and her little brother are menaced by some thugs. Joe Brindo, a racketeer Jimmy's honest father Pete blames for an incident that crippled him, is impressed by Jimmy and takes him under his wing.

Jimmy is caught in a rivalry between two local gangs. He also is asked to testify at a trial, angering his father when the outcome benefits the gangster. Jimmy eventually changes his ways and ends up working in his father's print shop.

• James Darren as Jimmy Smigelski
• Laurie Carroll as Della
• Michael Granger as Joe Brindo
• Jerry Janger as Rocky
• Robert Blake as Chuck
• Edgar Barrier as Pete Smigelski
• Celia Lovsky as Anna Smigelski
• David Bond as Dan Kevlin
• Timothy Carey as Frank Mangus
• Dan Terranova as 'Stomper' Tony Lightning
• Barry Froner as Poochie
• Don Devlin as Wimpy
• Stephen H. Sears as Cliffie
• Joseph Vitale as Ferd Marchesi
• David Orrick McDearmon as Lawyer Gotham (as David Orrick)
• Larry J. Blake as Officer Fitz
• Robert C. Ross as Gil Danco
• Steve Warren as Sully
• Don Garrett as Bo-Bo
• Joel Ashley as Dist. Atty. Fuller
• Salvatore Anthony as Kid with Wallet
• Freddie Bell as Himself, Freddie Bell (as Freddie Bell and His Bellboys)
• The Bellboys as Themselves, The Bellboys (as Freddie Bell and His Bellboys)

The film was based on the eponymous 1953 novel by "Frank Paley", a social worker writing under a pseudonym.{{Cite news|title=IN AND OUT OF BOOKS|author=HARVEY BREIT|date=July 12, 1953|work=New York Times|page=BR8}} The New York Times thought "Mr Paley's narrative powers are not up to his descriptive ones.""Mistaken Loyalties: RUMBLE ON THE DOCKS. By Frank Paley. 367 pp. New York: Crown Publishers. $3.75." Whitman, Alden. New York Times 3 Jan 1954: BR24.

Sam Katzman bought the film rights in 1955.{{Cite news|title=NEW FILM PROCESS IS SHOWN BY FOX: 55-mm. CinemaScope Scenes From 'Carousel' Have More Depth, Striking Brilliance|author=THOMAS M. PRYOR|date=Nov 16, 1955|work=New York Times|page=43}}

The lead role was given to James Darren, who had recently been signed to a long-term contract by Columbia. It was his first movie.{{Cite news|title=KIM NOVAK IS CAST AS JEANNE EAGELS: Will Portray Title Figure of Famous Actress in Film for Columbia Pictures Seltzers Plan 'Mr.Tex'|author=OSCAR GODBOUT|date=July 4, 1956|work=New York Times|page=14}} Katzman also introduced newcomers Laurie Carroll and Sal Anthony.{{Cite news|title=Drama: Rex and Rhodes Reason Both Strike New Paths; Paris Bids for Menjou|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=July 10, 1956|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A9}} Carroll was discovered by Katzman when she appeared on The Johnny Carson Show.

Filming started 18 June 1956.{{Cite news|title=Of Local Origin|date=May 29, 1956|work=New York Times|page=32}}

James Darren later said of the movie, "Fred Sears was a wonderful director. That really was my first break because I started getting 400-500 letters a month from that film. You're not talking about a major film here. So, that kind of put me on a different level at the studio and they took notice."{{cite web|url=http://www.classicbands.com/JamesDarrenInterview.html|title=Interview With James Darren|first=Pore-Lee-Dunn|last=Productions|website=www.classicbands.com}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0049693|title=Rumble on the Docks}}
• {{AFI film|51980|title=Rumble on the Docks}}
• {{TCMDb title|27381|title=Rumble on the Docks}}

{{Sam Katzman}}

Category:1956 films

Category:1956 crime drama films

Category:American crime drama films

Category:Film noir

Category:Columbia Pictures films

Category:Films directed by Fred F. Sears

Category:1950s English-language films

Category:1950s American films

Category:American black-and-white films

Category:Films about Polish-American culture

Category:English-language crime drama films

Category:Films produced by Sam Katzman