The Mayor of 44th Street (1942)

Reformed ex-con Joe Jonathan (George Murphy) is the new owner of a dance-band booking agency and is under police scrutiny owing to the racketeering tactics of its former owner Ed Kirby (Richard Barthelmess), who is in Sing Sing Prison. Bits McKrk (Rex Downing), a small-time young hoodlum., essays a blackmailing foray into Joe's thriving business. But Jon wins over the tough little runt and takes him into his business, against the advice of Jessie Lee (Anne Shirley), his former hoofer partner and true-blue girlfriend. Kirby is paroled from prison and attempts,with members of the old gang, to extort protection tribute from George's clients, that includes Freddie Martin and His Orchestra. Little Bits McKirk, impressed by Kirby's big-time hoodlum glamour, starts to back-slide, as Jessie predicted. With his world crashing and the woman he loves starting to lose faith in him, George realizes he has a tough job ahead.