Description:
The real story of gangsters, politicians, longshoremen, union leaders, and Catholic priests that informed the classic 1954 film, On the Waterfront.
Brief description: James T. Fisher is Professor of Theology at Fordham University.
Review Quotes:
"Amply fills in the gaps among organized crimepublic officials and the street priests and Catholic hierarchy... also provides new insights into the long-debated claim that the film was intended by its screenwriterBudd Schulbergand its directorElia Kazanas a justification for their naming names of former Communist associates in their testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He also clarifies the context of the famous utterance of Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City: 'I am the law.' It turns out Mayor Hague was not flaunting his legendary power (he did not have to). He was intervening to get jobs for two truants rather than complying with legalities by sending them back to school.--Sam Roberts
-- "New York Times"