Despite its well-worn theme, and a director who uses far, far too many monotonous close-ups, this offering in the "Make the State safe for decent, respectable citizens" hold the interest quite well.The solid acting certainly helps. Many unfamiliar players in minor roles come across strongly.Unfortunately, you can still separate the actors from the real personnel because the latter are all microphone shy.Nonetheless, in true documentary tradition, the movie has been filmed on actual locations, and, as usual, there's even a Foreword to this effect! Considering the many problems engaged in actual location filming, the photography is excellent. Admittedly, Maggie Hayes does not look attractive. In fact, there are too many dull, domestic scenes. Most of these should have been left on the cutting-room floor!

where can I find this movie , I saw it years ago in the 50's- --is it on video? or DVD?anyone know where I can locate a copy? I would love to have a copy, I have been searching for years for a copy of this movie Dam Citizen- I was excited to find this site, and hopefully I can locate a copy of this movie,it is based on a true story and it is like watching history in action. if anyone knows where I can locate a copy of Dam Citizen, please email me that would make my day, been looking for years, I had decided it has been destroyed thanks [email protected]

Based on fact (and with appearances by several of the actual people involved), this tells the story of a police chief appointed by the state of Louisiana to rid its state police force of entrenched corruption. This is a taut, straightforward little film, in the tradition of "The Phenix City Story," and director Robert Gordon, while no Phil Karlson, does a good job on a limited budget and with a competent but non-star cast. Keith Andes is quite effective as the lawman who came up against a bit more than he expected, and Gene Evans (nice to see him in a good-guy role for once) complements him well as a state trooper who is as disgusted by the corruption as Andes is. An interesting story helped along by some sharp dialogue, tight pacing and good performances by most of the cast (there are a few less-than-inspired ones that tend to slow things down a bit, but not fatally) make this little-known film one to watch.

This movie is a good capture of the underworld crime in Louisiana during the prohibition era. It never made it big time because the acting is not top notch. Looking beyond that there is an excellent recall of how Louisiana, and particularly one man, handled the crime bosses of Louisiana. It is of particular interest to me because a large number of my family served as extras.