THE HANG UP

Q: What is The Hang Up about?

The Hang Up follows Sgt. Walsh, a vice squad detective who goes undercover in drag and becomes romantically involved with a young prostitute, drawing him into a web of crime and personal conflict.

1969 · 1h 15m · R · Crime / Drama / Romance · IMDB TMDB

Two vice cops get entangled in a web of prostitution, blackmail and murder. Sgt. Walsh (Tony Vorno) is a tough-as-nails detective who will do whatever it takes to keep scum off the streets. His attitude changes when he meets a young prostitute named Angel (Sharon Matt) and soon he finds himself falling for her as well as getting pulled into the underworld.

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Quick Answer

What is The Hang Up about?

The Hang Up is a 1969 American crime drama directed by John Hayes about a vice squad cop who goes undercover in drag and becomes entangled with a young prostitute, pulling him into a world of prostitution, blackmail, and murder.

Programmer's Pick

Cross-dressing undercover work, retro vice raids, and a romance that’s equal parts sleaze and melodrama—The Hang Up doesn’t just toe the exploitation line, it draws it in lipstick. Watching Tony Vorno’s Sgt. Walsh juggle hypocrisy and heartache is a grindhouse treat, especially when the skirts and side-eye come out.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Sgt. Robert Walsh, a no-nonsense vice cop, finds himself deep undercover—sometimes in drag—as he prowls the seedy side of the city to root out vice and debauchery. His tough exterior is complicated by his own prejudices, and his undercover work takes him through a parade of sleazy establishments. At home, Walsh is stuck in a rut until Angel, a local sex performer, enters his life and upends his routine. Their relationship grows, blurring the lines between his professional duties and personal desires. The Hang Up explores the gritty intersections of law enforcement, sexuality, and the underbelly of urban life, setting up a world where nothing stays simple for long.

Details & Specs

Director: John Hayes
Writer: John Hayes
Release: 1969
Runtime: 1h 15m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance
Also Known As: Vice Cop 69

Cast & Crew

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Director: John Hayes Writer: John Hayes

TV Tony Vorno Sgt. Walsh

Sharon Matt Angel PB Peter Balakoff Pyrano GC Genene Cooper LP Luke Perry

Bonnie Clark MM Michael March GB Gene Blackey

Bambi Allen WG William Guhl JL James Lemp JE James E. Myers KS Karen Swanson

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