bkoganbing Portland Expose casts Edward Binns as an honest tavern owner who gets lured into the clutches of organized crime by of all things a pinball machine that some guys with smashed noses urge him to put in his place of business. It's a way of earnings additional cash, but that's there way of starting and pretty soon it's slot machines and hookers. Although the racketeers have several spots, Binns's tavern is of particular interest because it's near a lot of industrial plants and the gangs are looking to infiltrate labor unions. Binns goes along at first, but after his daughter Carolyn Craig is nearly raped by Frank Gorshin playing one of the hoods, Binns turns informant and starts wearing a wire to his meetings.The next time you're in a bar hoisting a few, if you've seen Portland Expose you might look at the pinball, the computer games, and the Foozeball in a different light. Not much in the way of production values in Portland Expose, not really too much of Portland other than establishing shots. But the story moves well and performances to note are that of Virginia Gregg as Binns's concerned wife, Lea Pennman as a west coast Polly Adler, and Jeanne Carmen as a cheerfully amoral hooker who really makes her scenes count.The film also has a coda ending with reference to the then current McClellan committee investigating labor racketeering. The counsel to that committee was one Robert F. Kennedy and their main target was the Teamsters and Jimmy Hoffa. Not a bad noir at the end of the noir cycle.

dougdoepke A tavern owner helps authorities get the goods on gangs trying to take over a labor union.This Lindsley Parsons production is one of the many "confidential" or "expose" films of the time. Usually the tabloid title would include the name of a city whose supposed racketeers the movie would then expose. This movie appears inspired by the acid blinding of New York City labor reporter Victor Riesel in 1956 for his investigations into labor racketeering in that city. The low-budget Parsons outfit may have produced this programmer, but they managed two key assets, despite the lowly origins. First, they got heavyweight actor Ed Binns for the lead, along with familiar face Virginia Gregg and that fine little actress Carolyn Craig. What Binns lacks in marquee value, he makes up for in sheer talent, having been one of the Twelve Angry Men (1957) in that powerhouse film of the same year. Second, the movie did extensive location filming in Portland, lending the visuals both interest and a realistic air. The woodsy tavern, in particular, looks genuine instead of the usual Hollywood fakery. Then too, the screenplay manages some suspense, especially when Madison (Binns) goes undercover. But the highlight may be hoodlum Joe's (Gorshin) attempted rape of sweet little Ruth (Craig). It's pretty explicit for the time. If there's a downside, in my book, it's the absence of real menace from any of the bad guys (contrast with the subtle menace of kingpin Edward Andrews' in Phenix City Story {1955}). All in all, however, the movie manages a number of interesting features without being anything special.(In passing—Catch sexpot Jeanne Carmen (Iris) who was Marilyn Monroe's "bosom buddy" in more obvious ways than one. Also, such a shame that Carolyn Craig died so young and under rather mysterious circumstances, as well.)

gmda I have not seen this film yet. So don't really know what it is about except what is on the site. However, Portland Oregon was a veritable "Den of Iniquity" back in the old days. "Shanghai-ing" I believe got its NAME from Portland, as unsuspecting men were lead to trap-doors and then "way-layed" only to wake up on a ship to ....guess where??? There was a lady mobster who ran the booze industry for years and even when "caught up with in the end".... SHE WALKED!!!! There was a whole literal UNDERGROUND CITY under Portland, and it has been shown on Cities of the Underworld. There were brothels, and white slavery, prostitution, and other vices,....opium dens. Portland has a small "China Town". There was underground fighting, yes.... a Fight Club! IT's ALL TRUE!!!Maybe not the movie exactly, but in real life....close enough!!!I ought to know. I live 55 miles south in Salem, Oregon. So this movie is probably close to the truth as to the type of people and things going on up in that wild town to the north! Edit: Just wanted to add that I look forward to seeing this movie soon.

christopher-underwood Bit late for a vintage noir, by definition, and whilst not deeply caste in dark shadows throughout, makes up for this a little on the sleaze front. Competently made and presented as 'based on a true story' this is quite interesting for its detail on organised crime and its involvement at very modest levels with the help of 'rotten apple' police and corrupt union official plus assistance 'all the way to the top'. There are in fact some surprisingly sleazy moments, including a well shot and fairly vigorous attempted rape. There is also a super body disposal scene involving a train at night with the flashing lights of the carriages lighting up the killer's obvious delight. The central character is, however, just a little too much of a 'goodie two shoes' for my liking and the film does slow to a crawl at times when we have to consider the family implications. Worth a watch.