Watch Dayton's Devils

Dayton's Devils is a 1968 American crime film directed by Jack Shea and starring Rory Calhoun, Leslie Nielsen, and Lainie Kazan. The movie tells the story of a group of ex-cons who decides to rob an illegal gambling house in Dayton, Ohio in order to start a new life with the stolen cash. The film opens with Duke, played by Rory Calhoun, being released from prison after serving a three-year sentence. Duke reunites with his old gang members, Mickey (Leslie Nielsen) and Fats (John Davis Chandler), who are also freshly released from behind bars. They meet up with Benny (Gregory Walcott), who is still in jail, and discuss their plans for robbing a notorious gambling house in Dayton that is run by a high-profile mobster, Big John Stewart (Bob Hastings).

Together, they plan the heist by gathering the necessary equipment and scoping out the location. However, what they don't know is that Big John is aware of their plan and has his own team of thugs waiting for them. The heist goes wrong, and the situation turns into a dangerous and bloody shootout.

Meanwhile, Duke's former girlfriend, Terry (Lainie Kazan), who happens to be Big John's woman, gets involved in the mess. She tries to convince Duke to give up the money and leave town with her, but Duke is determined to hold onto the cash and start a new life with his pals. The group must fight their way out of the gambling house, dodging bullets and trying to stay one step ahead of Big John's men.

Dayton's Devils is a classic heist film with a twist. The group of ex-cons is not just motivated by greed or the thrill of the heist, but also by the desire to turn their lives around and start anew. They are not just professional criminals but also human beings with hopes and dreams. The film paints a vivid picture of the American criminal underworld at the time and the struggles of ex-cons trying to reintegrate into society.

One of the standout performances in the movie is by Rory Calhoun, who plays Duke with a mix of toughness and vulnerability. He's a charismatic leader who cares deeply about his friends and wants to do what's best for them. Leslie Nielsen is also excellent as Mickey, the loose cannon of the group. He brings a lot of humor to the film, but also a sense of danger.

Lainie Kazan, in her film debut, plays Terry with a mix of toughness and sensitivity. She's a strong female character who is not afraid to stand up to the men around her. The chemistry between her and Calhoun is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the film's highlights.

The film's action scenes are well choreographed, and the final shootout is especially tense and thrilling. Director Jack Shea does a great job of keeping the pacing tight and the tension high throughout the film.

Overall, Dayton's Devils is a highly enjoyable and entertaining crime film from the late 1960s. It's a must-watch for fans of heist movies and for anyone interested in the criminal underworld of that era. With strong performances, a tight script, and thrilling action sequences, Dayton's Devils is a classic of the genre.