I never really rated Dennis O'Keefe and though he's in one of his better roles here, he's still pretty wooden. He is "Barry" who was an army number-cruncher who has now been drafted into an investigation by the FBI into organised crime in Chicago. The mobsters in that city are shrewd and brutal, so this task was always going to be perilous at the best of times, much more so when he encounters the complex "Connie" (Abbe Lane). She is the nightclub singing girlfriend, and frequent punchbag, of the kingpin "Arnie" (Paul Stewart) and she is also being pursued by their band-leader (Xavier Cugat). Also muddying the waters is the aggrieved "Sue" (Allison Hayes) who has a mean streak a mile wide when it comes to her search for retribution. What now ensues is all rather predictable, but it is augmented by a strong effort from Hayes and an effectively menacing one from Stewart. The direction and writing give them enough to keep it moving along and it has to be said - Abbe Lane can hold a tune and dance the mambo. It's quite watchable Saturday afternoon fayre, but I doubt you will remember it for long afterwards.
Review of Chicago Syndicate
