Pete Kelly's Blues

Local mobster Fran McCarg has decided to get into the entertainment business, and one of his first clients is going to be the Pete Kelly band. The terms: 25% of the take and a seventh night of work in one of McCarg’s own joints. It’s a terrible deal, and Pete wants nothing to do with it. Standing up to the gangster is no good, however, and Pete’s young drummer gets gunned down for shooting off his mouth. The band is willing to back Pete, and a straight-laced cop offers him an opportunity to help dismantle McCarg’s operation, but Pete decides it’s better to give in. This doesn’t necessarily make it any easier, either. McCarg is demanding, forcing the band to take on an alcoholic singer he’s obsessed with. Rose is one more breakdown away from being totally broken, and McCarg treats her rough. How much damage does the bad guy have to dole out before Pete toughens up? —DVDtalk.com