The Big Operator (1959): Cast & Plot
The Big Operator is a 1959 crime drama directed by Charles F. Haas, starring Mickey Rooney as Little Joe Braun, Mamie Van Doren and Mel Tormé. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Charles F. Haas
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Fryman Enterprises
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Big Operator About?
The premise of The Big Operator without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A ruthless union boss resorts to murder to silence witnesses slated to testify against him, employing goons, torch killers and labor racketeers. The film features an eclectic ensemble cast with Mickey Rooney, Mamie Van Doren, Mel Tormé, Jay North, Vampira, Charles Chaplin Jr., Jackie Coogan and Norman Grabowski.
The Big Operator Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychotronic film
- 1950s
- mobster
- union president
- union member
- tool maker
- machine shop
- senate investigation
- organized crime
- police investigation
- crime syndicate
- witness intimidation
+38 more Show fewer
- killing a witness
- torture
- beating
- family man
- bribe
- lawyer
- fifth amendment
- psychopath
- contract killing
- thrown from a car
- burned alive
- kidnapping
- abduction
- fistfight
- goon
- labor strike
- picket line
- car chase
- shootout
- corruption
- racketeering
- trade union
- senate hearing
- tv news
- labor union corruption
- labor union meeting
- father son relationship
- lie detector test
- husband wife relationship
- mobster's lawyer
- lie
- attemp to bribary
- intimidation
- hot tempered chief
- kidnapping a child
- witness wants to testify
- witness kidnapped
- halloween day
The Big Operator Cast & Characters
Mickey Rooney leads the cast as Little Joe Braun, with Mamie Van Doren as Mary Gibson and Mel Tormé as Fred McAfee. Directed by Charles F. Haas; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Charles F. Haas
-
Mickey Rooney as Little Joe Braun - Mamie Van Doren as Mary Gibson
- Mel Tormé as Fred McAfee
- Jay North as Timmy Gibson
Also Starring in The Big Operator
· 13 more- Jackie Coogan Ed Brannell
- Ray Danton Oscar Wetzel
- Charles Chaplin, Jr. Bill Tragg
- Ziva Rodann Alice McAfee
- Steve Cochran Bill Gibson
- Lawrence Dobkin Phil Cernak
- Jim Backus Cliff Heldon
- Don 'Red' Barry Detective Sergeant
- Leo Gordon Danny Sacanzi
- Maila Nurmi Gina
- Joey Forman Ray Bailey
- Ray Anthony Slim Clayburn
- Billy Daniels Tony Webson
More from Charles F. Haas
More films directed by Charles F. Haas: Platinum High School, Girls Town, The Beat Generation and Summer Love.
The Big Operator Plot Summary
What happens in The Big Operator from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ruthless union leader Little Joe Braun is due to face questioning from a Senate committee. On the night before the inquiry, he sends a hit man, Oscar Wetzel “The Executioner,” to kill a witness named Tragg and steal incriminating documents in Tragg’s possession at a factory.
The union is split into two factions, and when the workers arrive they find one side on strike while the other tries to assert control. Demanding a meeting with Braun, the group makes it clear that unless they toe the line they’re out. Fred McAfee is expelled from the union, allegedly because his dues are not up to date, a move that quickly raises more questions than answers.
Full summary
The whole story of The Big Operator, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Big Operator?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the ruthless union leader who faces a Senate committee questioning?
Cars in The Big Operator
28 cars on screen, including the 1958 Plymouth Plaza and the 1946 Ford Super De Luxe.
-
1958 Plymouth Plaza Main role -
1946 Ford Super De Luxe Important role -
1941 International Harvester M-5H-6 Important role -
1951 Plymouth Concord Important role
The Big Operator Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Anatomy of the Syndicate” and “Der große Schwindler”.
- Also known as
-
- Anatomy of the Syndicate
- Der große Schwindler
- Le témoin doit être assassiné
- Sindicato de Vigaristas
- Corruzione nella città
- 黑社会风云
Seen The Big Operator?
Movies Like The Big Operator
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Boss of Big Town, The Big Operator and The Big Combo.
The Big Operator FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Big Operator, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Big Operator?
The Big Operator runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was The Big Operator released?
The Big Operator was released on August 1, 1959.
Who directed The Big Operator?
The Big Operator was directed by Charles F. Haas.
More films by Charles F. Haas Who is in the cast of The Big Operator?
The Big Operator stars Mickey Rooney as Little Joe Braun, Mamie Van Doren as Mary Gibson and Mel Tormé as Fred McAfee, among 17 credited actors.
Does The Big Operator have a post-credit scene?
No. The Big Operator has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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