WIRETAPPER (1955)

 

Inspired by actual events, this eighty-minute crime biopic highlights the life of an extraordinary Army communications expert, Jim Vaus Jr. The film begins near the end of World War II and ends four years later. His four-year prison sentence for the theft of government electronic equipment is terminated with the war's end. As a citizen, he used his technical skills to install surveillance devices for the LAPD and Mickey Cohen’s syndicate, including a rigged parimutuel betting system invented by Vaus. Off-track betting was illegal back then.

Directed by Dick Ross, with a well-paced screenplay by John O'Dea based on Vaus' autobiography, Why I Quit Syndicated Crime, it was produced by World Wide Pictures, founded in 1951 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and is, essentially, accurate storytelling. Nothing out of the ordinary in cinematography nor for a ubiquitous score composed by Ralph Carmichael, who would set the groundwork in contemporary Christian music during the next decade. His score for the horse-racing segments would better fit the opening of a collegiate football game broadcast.

The film is respectably acted, though no Golden Globe nominations were announced. Here, I use the Vaus name and not the actor who portrays him, Bill Williams. A "criminal casting call" was sent out to snag the usual suspects. B-movie regulars Douglas Kennedy joins the male lead ranks as a wealthy attorney with deep pockets into the mob, specifically Eric Roman, after a Cohen fashion. Paul Picerni is once again in the fold. Even Stanley "Bowery Boy" Clements works his way into the ranks. The least-known, Georgia Lee, as Vaus's wife, is the weaker acting link.  

Though Vaus is released early from prison, it results in a demotion from Captain to Private. His deception begins with letters of lies to his future bride about his combat service. Before arriving home, he buys retired service medals from a pawn shop to pin to his uniform. He is embarrassed by this decision. Soon running his own electronics business with a hit-and-miss profit, his services are requested at the home of Kennedy. While there, he is asked to also fix a lowly doorbell. Vaus accidentally discovers someone has planted a hidden mic in the attorney's home, and receives a “Franklin” to find out who. Vaus's easy money is suspiciously on the rise while his new marriage begins a rapid descent. Roman slides into the picture, placing Vaus under his thumb. During a "mobster roundtable," someone suggests that Vaus rig the track betting so they know the race winner before the results are posted. His wife's pleading starts to sink in, and he wants out of the syndicate; with this financial killing, it would set him up for life. Unknown to Roman or Kennedy, he partners with Clements. This is totally a bad idea. Clements never makes it to the finish line and is gunned down as soon as the gate drops. Even more disheartening is that Vaus is not present for the birth of his child. Another empty promise. 

Vaus is apprehended, knocked around a bit, and Kennedy gives him an ultimatum: one final job in St. Louis. Vaus drives his wife to the safety of her mother's home, where her young daughter awaits. Before his trip to Missouri with the "mobsy twins," Lee spots the Graham revival tent and is led to stop. He is reluctant. Bible passages and Graham's poignant words seem to be directed specifically toward Vaus. He tells his wife it is time to face the [Carmichael] music. At life's turning point, he is spiritually guided to accept Christ into his life, wiping away his criminal burdens to begin a new life. Mustering the courage to face Kennedy and Roman, he refuses to go with them and attempts to explain why. Roman is not convinced and pulls out a revolver where his wallet should be. It would be a tense final scene if you did not know Vaus devotes the rest of his life to Christian ministry. Sans bullet holes.

Note: Vaus went on to tour the country as an inspirational Christian speaker and started a youth ministry. Not comprehending the legitimate change in his life, the moment will likely seem a fantasy. The actual eight-week-long Los Angeles Crusade under a huge tent took place in 1949. During a later crusade, the viewer witnesses a high-energy Billy Graham in this film. The passionate young Graham may appear to be the clichéd “condemning preacher,” but he does not condemn nor judge. He simply understands the realities of eternity as addressed throughout the Bible.