Bullets or Ballots (1936)

65% of users liked it
(416 ratings)

Two-fisted New York police detective Edward G. Robinson is so volatile that he manages to get himself thrown off the force in disgrace. The local gangsters are delighted, in that Robinson had been breathing down their necks. When Robinson goes to crime boss Barton MacLaine insisting that he's… More Two-fisted New York police detective Edward G. Robinson is so volatile that he manages to get himself thrown off the force in disgrace. The local gangsters are delighted, in that Robinson had been breathing down their necks. When Robinson goes to crime boss Barton MacLaine insisting that he's through with law enforcement and wants to switch to the other side, MacLaine's chief henchmen Humphrey Bogart doesn't buy the story, but has to go along since he doesn't want to incur the wrath of MacLaine. Robinson offers to show his former enemies how to circumvent the law, making him an invaluable participant in gang activities. Actually, Robinson hasn't gone crooked at all; he's operating undercover, with the full knowledge of the city police inspector, in hopes of locating the "big boys" who've been financing the mob. His diligence costs him his life, but Robinson, with the help of bad-girl-gone-good Joan Blondell, busts the rackets wide open. Former crime reporter Martin Mooney was responsible for the story upon which Bullets or Ballots was based. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: William Keighley
Written By: Seton I. Miller, Martin Mooney
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 6, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Jul 18, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An agreeable action-packed gangster flick.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

It's nothing extraordinary but Edward G. is great as usual on the right side of the law this time. It's nice to see Louise Beavers getting to play something besides a maid. She's all dolled up as a flashy numbers runner.
AJ V

This isn't the average gangster movie, but that doesn't mean it's a great movie either. It has good actors, but it could have been a lot better.
Michael G

Bullets or Ballots is a lost little gem with Edward G. Robinson as an undercover veteran cop trying to take down racketeers from the inside. Robinson turns out another miniature badass role and foil to Humphrey Bogart's "don't want to be here" turn on… More
Bullets or Ballots is a lost little gem with Edward G. Robinson as an undercover veteran cop trying to take down racketeers from the inside. Robinson turns out another miniature badass role and foil to Humphrey Bogart's "don't want to be here" turn on Murderer's Row. The almost unrecognizable Joan Blondell really fills out any dress she's in and the direction's pretty decent. While its good, you can see why Bullets or Ballots isn't one of the better known gangster pictures. Still, a treat for fans of Edward G.
Veronique K

some gangster cinephiles might bombard this movie for being effeminated by moral code. besides the ending is one of those moralistic preachings you have heard quite enough from old school. the best fun is to observe robinson as the good guy and humprey bogart as the calculated… More
some gangster cinephiles might bombard this movie for being effeminated by moral code. besides the ending is one of those moralistic preachings you have heard quite enough from old school. the best fun is to observe robinson as the good guy and humprey bogart as the calculated ferocious hoodlum. in spite of its surrender to the censor, it's still a ballistic underrated movie with fast rhyme and classic confrontation of hero and villain. ironically, more than 10 years later....in key largo, robinson plays smelly rat-like mobster johnny rocco slaughtered by the postwar melacholic hero bogart. what a rise and fall. in a nutshell, "bullets or ballots" is easy to chew, suitable for some hectic friday afternoon when you just wanna lay on couch falling asleep without probing too harshly. it would be a choice to immerse yourself in some distinctive section of absolute good and evil then relaxed.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Johnny Blake

            Barton MacLane as Al Kruger

            Frank McHugh as Herman

            Joseph King as Captain Dan McLaren

            Humphrey Bogart as Bugs Fenner

            Joan Blondell as Lee Morgan

            Louise Beavers as Nellie

            Dick Purcell as Driscoll

            Gilbert Emery as Thorndyke

            Herbert Rawlinson as Caldwell

            George E. Stone as Wires

            Joseph Crehan as Grand Jury Spokesman

            Norman Willis as Vinci

            Frank Faylen as Gatley

            Ralph M. Remley as Kelly

            William Pawley as Crail

            Frank Bruno as Proprietor

            Gregory Wallace as Lambert

            William "Wild Bill" Elliott as Bank Secretary

            Jack Gardner as Man

            Sol (Saul) Gorss
            
            Al Hill as Man

            Milt Kibbee as Jury foreman

            Alma Lloyd as 1st Beauty Attendant

            George Lloyd as Man

            Jerry Madden as Kid

            Rosalind Marquis as Specialty

            Carlyle Moore Jr. as Kruger's secretary

            Anne Nagel as Bank secretary

            Henry O'Neill as Bryant

            Addison Richards as Announcer

            Eddie Shubert as Truck driver

            Edwin Stanley as Judge

            Victoria Vinton as Ticket Seller

            Harry Watson as Kid

            Virginia Dabney as Mary

            Jack Goodrich as Cigar Clerk

            Herman Marks as Man

            Dutch Schlickenmeyer
            
See full cast