Black Hand (1950)
Gene Kelly trades his dancing shoes for a vendetta in this gripping MGM crime thriller set among New York's Italian immigrant community.
Black Hand - Movie Information
- Original Title: Black Hand
- Release Year: 1950
- Directed by: Richard Thorpe
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 12, 1950 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: La mano nero (IT)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Black Hand - Plot
In turn-of-the-century New York, an Italian seeks vengeance on the mobsters who killed his father.
Black Hand - Trailer
Preview a clip from this classic 1950 MGM crime thriller starring Gene Kelly.
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It's Gene Kelly against The Black Hand!
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Black Hand - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Thorpe
Main Cast
- Gene Kelly
- Teresa Celli
- J. Carrol Naish
- Mario Siletti
- Marc Lawrence
- Frank Puglia
- Barry Kelley
- Carl Milletaire
- Eleonora von Mendelssohn
- Peter Brocco
Writers
- Luther Davis
- Leo Townsend
Producers
- William H. Wright
Black Hand - FAQs
Where can you watch Black Hand (1950)?
Black Hand (1950) is available to stream or rent on various platforms depending on your region. You can check JustWatch for a full, up-to-date list of streaming services, rental options, and purchase links available in your area for this MGM classic.
Is Black Hand based on a true story?
Black Hand is inspired by the real historical criminal organization known as La Mano Nera, which terrorized Italian immigrant communities in early 20th-century New York. While the central characters are fictional, the film draws on documented extortion and violence carried out by this Mafia-linked group.
Who are the main actors in Black Hand?
Black Hand stars Gene Kelly as Johnny Columbo, a young Italian-American bent on revenge. The supporting cast includes Teresa Celli, J. Carrol Naish, Marc Lawrence, Frank Puglia, Mario Siletti, Barry Kelley, Carl Milletaire, Eleonora von Mendelssohn, and Peter Brocco.
What is Black Hand (1950) about?
Set in turn-of-the-century New York, Black Hand follows a young Italian immigrant who returns home to find his father murdered by the Black Hand, a ruthless criminal organization preying on the city's Italian community. Determined to bring the killers to justice, he wages a dangerous one-man crusade against the mob.
Why is Gene Kelly unusual casting in Black Hand?
Gene Kelly was primarily celebrated as a dancer and musical star, making his dramatic lead role in Black Hand a notable departure. The film showcases his range as a serious actor, and his performance was well received, proving he could carry a tense crime thriller without a single dance number.
Who directed Black Hand and when was it released?
Black Hand was directed by Richard Thorpe and released on March 12, 1950, in the United States. Thorpe was a prolific MGM contract director known for efficient, polished genre filmmaking, and he brings a gritty, atmospheric quality to this early crime drama set in immigrant New York.
What is the runtime and age rating for Black Hand?
Black Hand runs approximately 92 minutes and is rated NR (Not Rated), as it predates the modern MPA rating system. The film contains crime violence and period-appropriate dramatic tension, making it suitable for general adult audiences and fans of classic Hollywood crime cinema.
What are movies similar to Black Hand (1950)?
If you enjoyed Black Hand, you may also like A Bronx Tale (1993), Bugsy (1991), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), West Side Story (1961), and The Italian Job (1969). These films share themes of organized crime, immigrant identity, and urban tension that echo the atmosphere of this 1950 MGM classic.
More About Black Hand
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