Long before he became the bald king of *The King and I*, Yul Brynner made his big screen debut as a stone-cold villain in Port of New York — a tense 1949 crime thriller that plunges into the dark underworld of narcotics smuggling at the city’s bustling docks.
This film blends classic noir aesthetics with documentary-style narration, offering a pulpy but stylish look at a city under siege by vice and corruption.
The Plot: Customs, Crime, and Cold Killers
When a massive shipment of morphine is stolen right off the pier, two federal agents — one from Customs and one from the Bureau of Narcotics — are called in to investigate. Their mission: trace the drugs, expose the smugglers, and shut down the syndicate before the poison hits the streets.
But they’re not just chasing shadows — they’re chasing Paul Vicola, a calculated criminal who will stop at nothing to protect his empire.
The Cast
- Yul Brynner as Paul Vicola — menacing, cold, and frighteningly calm
- Scott Brady as Michael “Mickey” Waters — the tough-talking Customs agent
- Richard Rober as Jim Flannery — the agent from the Bureau of Narcotics
- K.T. Stevens as Toni Cardell — caught between the law and the mob
Fun Fact: This was Yul Brynner’s very first film — and he plays the villain so well, you’d never guess he’d go on to become a Broadway heartthrob.
What Makes It Noir Gold
- 📷 Stark black-and-white cinematography and gritty New York locations
- 💼 Real-life government narration gives it a semi-documentary edge
- 🎭 A villain you genuinely fear — and want more of
Though not as famous as *The Big Heat* or *Double Indemnity*, this one holds its own for noir fans and is a must-watch for Brynner completists.
Watch Port of New York on Oldies-TV
You can stream this classic now in two formats:
- Original version — raw and grainy, just like 1949
- Enhanced version — cleaned-up visuals and audio for modern eyes and ears
Watch Port of New York Now →
Own It on DVD or Digital →
Final Verdict
If you’ve only seen Yul Brynner in epic roles with crowns or sabers, you owe it to yourself to see him as Paul Vicola — a man without remorse. Port of New York delivers that noir punch in under 90 minutes, with shadowy visuals and cold-blooded crime to spare.
Step into the docks, dodge the danger, and experience Yul Brynner before he was royalty — only on Oldies-TV.
