Bullets or Ballots

Play trailer

Bullets or Ballots

Released May 26, 1936

1h 22m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

3 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Upon the murder of an anti-crime advocate, the police turn to former investigating detective Johnny Blake (Edward G. Robinson) for help. Convinced that racketeer Al Kruger (Barton MacLane) arranged the murder, Johnny goes undercover in order to infiltrate Kruger's gang. Using his unsuspecting friend Lee Morgan (Joan Blondell), who runs a numbers racket, Johnny burrows into Kruger's organization while staying one step ahead of suspicious henchman Bugs Fenner (Humphrey Bogart).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Most of the material is familiar, however: it's just the usual crime angles sorted out into a new pattern.

Oct 11, 2019

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Police vs gangsters saga has unusually prominent roles for black actors.

Nov 21, 2017

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An agreeable action-packed gangster flick.

Rated: B

Jul 19, 2006

Full Review

Read all reviews

David F

A subpar gangster film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/04/24

Full Review

Steve D

There is nowhere enough to it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

Ed M

Edward G. and Bogart in one movie? Are you kidding me?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/07/21

Full Review

Audience Member

I greatly enjoyed this humdinger that faces off Edward G. Robinson against Humphrey Bogart, with Joan Blondell doing an incredible job as the moll. Another fine Warner Brothers gangster film, with taut direction by William Keighley.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I greatly enjoyed this humdinger that faces off Edward G. Robinson against Humphrey Bogart, with Joan Blondell doing an incredible job as the moll. Another fine Warner Brothers gangster film, with taut direction by William Keighley.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Robinson is finally a hero.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

William Keighley

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Johnny Blake

Joan Blondell

Lee Morgan

Humphrey Bogart

"Bugs" Fenner

Barton MacLane

Al Kruger

Frank McHugh

Herman

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

Upon the murder of an anti-crime advocate, the police turn to former investigating detective Johnny Blake (Edward G. Robinson) for help. Convinced that racketeer Al Kruger (Barton MacLane) arranged the murder, Johnny goes undercover in order to infiltrate Kruger's gang. Using his unsuspecting friend Lee Morgan (Joan Blondell), who runs a numbers racket, Johnny burrows into Kruger's organization while staying one step ahead of suspicious henchman Bugs Fenner (Humphrey Bogart).

Director: William Keighley
Producer: Louis F. Edelman
Screenwriter: Seton I. Miller
Production Co: Warner Bros., First National Pictures
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 26, 1936, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 22m

Most Popular at Home Now