Gangster Squad

Every man carries a badge.

Some symbol of his allegiance.

His were the scars of a boxer who'd used his fists to climb the social ladder of the mob.

A Jew who'd gained the respect of wops through a homicidal lust.

He'd sworn an oath of violence.

And his master?

His own insatiable will to power.

He wanted to own this town.

His name is Mickey Cohen.

On my badge is the city of Los Angeles.

I came back from the war and I didn't even recognize it.

Brothels, vice, blood in the streets.

Cohen is building his empire.

"The children of the night.

What music they make."

It's the damnedest thing, Russo.

I come up here so many times...

...they see me, they know they're getting a treat.

What's the matter with you? You think they're not gonna hear about this in Chicago?

Oh, I'll make sure they do.

You're certifiable, Mickey.

You belong in a booby hatch, eating pudding in your goddamn pajamas.

A minute ago, you were begging.

That's when I thought you were a man.

But you're something else. You're rotten.

Aah!

What about now, Tommy?

You impressed?

Argh! You prick bastard.

- Okay, boys. - You sick son of a bitch.

Let her rip!

Aah!

Oh, my. Heh, heh.

Now, you go back to Chicago...

...you tell them what you saw here tonight.

You tell them that Los Angeles belongs to Mickey Cohen.

Fighting the war had taught me...

...the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

People are scared. They say leave it alone.

Excuse me, miss?

Anyone ever tell you you look like Lauren Bacall?

No.

But Cohen isn't the only fighter.

And I'm ready to step in the ring.

Son of a bitch didn't waste any time, did he?

Today's your lucky day. We're holding auditions.

- Really? - Let's go.

- This is it. - Ooh, wow.

This is wonderful.

Thank you. I can't wait to let my folks know about this.

They're gonna be real proud of you.

You know, this is where Bacall first met Bogart.

What the hell are you doing?

What's it look like? He's gonna give her a bad time in there.

O'Mara, for chrissakes, that's Cohen's place. Nobody goes in there.

I don't want any part of this.

Go get an ice cream.

Right this way.

You know, we hold all our screen tests up here, kiddo.

Away from the crowds.

Come on.

- Help you with something, pal? - Looking to meet someone.

Yeah? What's her name?

I don't know, I thought maybe you could help me out with that.

- No, mister. It's okay, really. - Get in the goddamn room.

- Look at what Daddy found. - Nice.

I tell you I was partial to blonds?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right, big guy. Pistola , butt-first.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're a cop?

Christ, buddy. What are you, soft in the head?

Please! Let me go! Please! Aah!

Aah!

- Break her, boys. - Let me go!

No! No! Stop it, please! Don't! Please! Please!

- Help! - Shh. Shh.

You make another sound and you're dead.

Who is it?

Mitts in the air!

Come on!

I don't think so.

- Ten bucks says this guy ain't even heeled. - I'll take that bet.

Why don't you come over here and find out. Come on.

Bang.

Help! Somebody!

Please help me!

Welcome to Los Angeles, ma'am.

Patty, it was the strangest thing.

I arrested Whalen, next thing you know, lickety-split, he escapes.

Oh, really? He overpowered you again?

- No. - He just slipped his cuffs?

He sure did. It was the damnedest thing.

Keep moving.

What happened to you this time?

He resisted.

Oh, yeah? What happened to them?

They resisted.

You're working too hard.

Boys.

O'Mara! Get your Irish ass in here!

Weren't you told to stay away from Cohen's turf?

I was.

Hendricks told me you walked in there without a warrant.

- These three are gonna walk. - Says who?

Says Judge Carter.

Habeas corpus. Well, that's fast work.

I didn't know any better, I'd think someone here stiffed in a call.

Listen to me, we got rules around here, smartass.

Do yourself a favor: Learn them.

Is that how you got that new Packard out there in the parking lot?

Following the rules, boss?

Two things you can't take back on this job, kid:

Bullets out of your gun and words out of your mouth.

That it?

Get out.

Karl Lockwood.

That's Mickey's bodyguard.

I'm sure I'm not the first person to tell you this...

...but don't feed or tease the animals.

Doesn't it bother you?

No.

Not for a long time.

Okay, stay out of trouble.

Connie, look--

- Baby, you promised me. - I know.

You stood right where you're standing now and you promised me.

I know.

I didn't go looking for it. Scout's honor.

John, you go looking for it every time you leave the house.

What happened this time?

Oh, it was just some pimp.

He was gonna put the hurt on this poor girl who didn't know any better.

She looked a little like you.

I mean, not nearly as pretty, but--

Smooth talk isn't your line, sarge.

Look, I don't mind living like Ma and Pa Kettle.

I don't need a new pair of shoes every week.

I married an honest cop.

You're kind, you don't talk too much, you're a demon in the sack.

But I don't need a hero, sarge, I need a husband.

So you do not have permission to go belly-flop on a grenade.

Not when we're expecting company. Do you read me?

Yeah.

Whores don't grow on trees.

They're like mustangs. You gotta catch them wild...

...and break them before you train them to do tricks.

Means I need a quiet place where I can keep the girls locked up.

Keep them hopped up on Mexican dope.

Watch your jacket, it's filthy here.

But this cop comes out of nowhere like an early frost.

And now my whole crop of cunt is ruined.

Mr. Cohen, I swear to God--

You're talking to God, Mitch, so you might as well swear to me.

I swear, if it hadn't been for that cop, this would have never happened.

You think I'm sore about that cop? Hell no.

He's a square Joe, the guy.

Rescues a damsel in distress.

Goddamn hero is what he is. They should put a medal on him.

We're gonna have to find a whole new place. Start over again.

It's like they say:

"All good things must one day be burnt to the ground for the insurance money."

Mr. Cohen, thank you so much.

I swear it won't ever happen again.

I know it won't, kid.

Whoa. Karl, what are you doing?

Let us out of here!

Hey!

Hey, Jerry. Want a shine?

Hey, Pete, you want a shiner? Go to bed.

Come on, I'm a working man just like you.

How many times I gotta tell you? When it gets dark, go home.

I'd love to, but I gotta make just one more buck before I can get out of here.

- If I give you a dollar, will you go home? - Yeah.

- Do you promise? - I promise.

Beat it.

Shine? Want a shine?

Go ahead, detective.

- Hey, sugar. - Hey, Jerry.

Here comes Mr. Five By Five

Ladies.

WOMAN 2 Solid avoirdupois

Mr. Five By Five

He's 5 feet tall and he's 5 feet wide

He don't measure no more from head to toe

Than he do from side to side

Mr. Five By Five

Jack. Fancy seeing you here.

Fancy that.

You look sharp.

- Take a pew. - Yeah, okay.

How's it going, pal?

You got a steak à la carte back there with your name on it.

You're a peach.

Figure you must be starving.

You haven't picked a winner in what, six weeks?

- Five. - My boss can help you out with that.

You know we fix the damn races, right? All you gotta do is ask me.

First, Jack, you're not allowed to tell me that.

Second of all, you know I have a warrant for your arrest, right?

- So, what's the charge? - Usury.

What the hell is usury?