Year: 1937
Runtime: 81 mins
Language: English
Director: Edward Ludwig
After serving ten years behind bars, a hardened crime boss embarks on a desperate search for his estranged ex‑wife and teenage son. Unbeknownst to him, his former syndicate members have seized the child, hoping to coerce the boss into revealing the hidden stash of loot he buried before his imprisonment, setting up a deadly cat‑and‑mouse game.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Last Gangster yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Last Gangster (1937), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
During Prohibition-era 1927, gangland kingpin Joe Krozac returns from Europe with a new wife, Talya Krozac, who is unaware of his criminal past. The Kile brothers have muscled in on his territory in his absence, so he orders their assassinations. Three are killed, but Acey Kile survives. Soon after, Talya becomes pregnant, a development that fills Krozac with a wary mix of pride and menace.
Krozac is sent to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary for ten years for income tax evasion before their son is born. After Talya visits her husband with their child, reporter Paul North Sr. plays a dirty trick on her, putting a gun in the baby’s hands for a photograph. When Talya goes to his newspaper to plead to be left alone, his editor refuses to help, but Paul is so ashamed of himself that he quits his job and begins a relationship with Talya. She files for divorce and marries Paul, and the pair move away, changing their names to start a new life together.
When Krozac is released from prison, he is determined to reclaim his son, now named Paul North Jr. / Joe Krozac Jr., and punish his former wife. Yet his old assistant, Curly, persuades him to retake command of his old gang first. It soon becomes clear that Curly and the others are playing a trap to learn where Krozac hid his money before going back to prison. Krozac resists their torture, but the gang kidnaps his son to apply pressure. He finally yields. The gang drives off with the loot, only to be cut down by the police, leaving Krozac and his son stranded on foot.
On the long journey home, he is unable to convince the boy that he is his father, yet they manage to get along in spite of the wound of their past. After the boy is reunited with his parents, Krozac experiences a change of heart and chooses to leave, stepping away from the boy’s life. But Acey Kile is waiting, taunting him at gunpoint and threatening to expose the boy’s true paternity to the press. To stop that, Krozac lunges and kills Acey, but not before paying the ultimate price himself.
Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:24
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Last Gangster in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Last Gangster is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Last Gangster with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.