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Action Cult Classic

A condemned mobster relives his tangled crimes and shifting identities on the eve of execution.

CONFESSIONS OF A VICE BARON

Hired Guns - Sex Slaves - Easy Money! The Inside Story of Organized Crime.

1943 · 59m · NR · Action / Adventure / Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB
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What is Confessions of a Vice Baron about?

Confessions of a Vice Baron is a 1943 American action, adventure, crime, and drama film directed by S. Roy Luby, William A. O'Connor, Herman E. Webber, and Melville Shyer about a notorious mob boss recalling his criminal exploits and various aliases as he faces execution.

Details & Specs
Directors
S. Roy Luby, William A. O'Connor, Herman E. Webber, Melville Shyer
Release
1943
Runtime
59m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama

Overview

On the night he is set to be executed, notorious mob boss James "Lucky" Lombardi reflects on the winding path that led him to the gallows. Born on the Balkan Peninsula, Lucky moves to America in pursuit of wealth and status, only to resort to a series of bold deceptions and ever-shifting identities. Assuming the role of an aristocrat, he mingles with high society, escorts influential women, and becomes entangled in a world of rackets and vice. The film unfolds as a tapestry of Lucky’s exploits, revealing a landscape rife with organized crime, desperate gambits, and the moral costs of ambition. Expect a seedy tour through the underbelly of 1930s urban America.
Ending Explained Spoilers — click to reveal

Lucky is arrested for murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. On the night of his execution, he realizes that crime doesn't pay.

The film closes with Lucky’s downfall as the full consequences of his criminal life catch up to him. His string of deceptions, rackets, and betrayals ultimately leads to his conviction and execution, serving as a cautionary tale about the perils of vice and the false promise of easy fortune. The ending drives home the moral that no amount of cunning or reinvention can outrun justice.

Why Cult

Multi-Identity Antihero

Lucky Lombardi’s parade of aliases—from Balkan hopeful to fake count—keeps his criminal career in constant motion.

Poverty Row Exploitation

Spliced from earlier films, this compilation is a crash course in low-budget, sleaze-soaked B-movie history.

Taboo Rackets

The film doesn’t flinch from depicting abortion, sex trafficking, and racketeering—rare for its era.

Archive Footage Collage

Patchworked from scenes of 'Race Suicide', 'Smashing the Vice Trust', and 'Mad Youth', it’s a time-capsule of exploitation tropes.

Threat File

Trigger

Lucky's pursuit of wealth and status

Threat

Organized crime rackets

Effect

Corruption, exploitation, and personal downfall

Setting

1930s New York City underworld

Cast & Crew

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Directors: S. Roy Luby +3 more
Willy Castello Willy Castello Lucky Lombardi aka Count de Hoven / Van Hersten / Kilonis Lloyd Ingraham Lloyd Ingraham J.M. Randall, alias Dr. Havens (edited from 'Race Suicide') (archive footage) Lona Andre Lona Andre Florence Davis (edited from 'Race Suicide') (archive footage) Dean Benton Dean Benton Harry, a young henchman (edited from 'Smashing the Vice Trust') (archive footage) Betty Compson Betty Compson Mrs. Lucy Morgan (edited from Mad Youth) (archive footage) (uncredited) Lester Dorr Lester Dorr Eddie's Henchman (edited from 'Smashing the Vice Trust') (archive footage) (uncredited) Sam Flint Sam Flint Martin Standish - Gang Leader (edited from 'Smashing the Vice Trust') (archive footage) (uncredited)

Scene Gallery

Trailers & Clips

Questions from the Vault

What is Confessions of a Vice Baron about? +

Confessions of a Vice Baron is about a mob boss, James "Lucky" Lombardi, who recalls his criminal exploits and shifting identities on the night before his execution.

When was Confessions of a Vice Baron released? +

Confessions of a Vice Baron was released in 1943.

Who directed Confessions of a Vice Baron? +

Confessions of a Vice Baron was directed by S. Roy Luby, William A. O'Connor, Herman E. Webber, and Melville Shyer.

How long is Confessions of a Vice Baron? +

Confessions of a Vice Baron has a runtime of 59 minutes.

What genre is Confessions of a Vice Baron? +

Confessions of a Vice Baron is an action, adventure, crime, and drama film.

Where can I watch Confessions of a Vice Baron? +

You can watch Confessions of a Vice Baron on SassyFlix.

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