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Two jukebox gangs throw hands in a 63-minute Black noir that Hollywood forgot.
TMDB
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Watch(US)

Gang War (1940)

poverty row pulprace film energyjukebox noir

Overview

ActionCrime

Two mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
all black cast

Standout Aspects

Acting

Ralph Cooper's 'Killer' Meade owns every frame.

Production

Made outside Hollywood's white gatekeeping system.

Best for:Solo: Late night discovery of hidden film history.·Rewatch: Spot the constraints, admire the craft.
Heads up:Violence: Gangland shootouts typical of 1940s crime fare.
L

Director

Leo C. Popkin

ReleasedMar 28, 1940
Runtime1h 3m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensityhigh
Tonedark
Feelmedium
Million Dollar Productions

Top Cast

Ralph Cooper

Ralph Cooper

Bob 'Killer' Meade

Laurence Criner

Laurence Criner

Lew Baron (as Lawrence Criner)

Maceo Bruce Sheffield

Maceo Bruce Sheffield

Bull Brown

Ask about Gang War

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Race films like this were made for segregated Black audiences, entirely outside the Hollywood studio system.

Trivia

Ralph Cooper was a famous dancer and emcee who founded the Apollo Theater's amateur night.

Gallery

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