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Scope Note:

Fictional work depicting a narrative descent into the underworld of syndicates, criminals, and their lawless activities, such as the drug trade, or bootlegging during the Prohibition era. The plot turns on such questions as how a criminal will be caught or who stole the object of value. Note: Some crime work has the flavor of adventure in the use of exotic locales and the search for wealth, but the primary activity leads to crime and involves criminals as antagonists (VALLEY OF THE KINGS; MARA MARU; BOY ON A DOLPHIN; BEYOND MOMBASA; THE DEEP; SPHINX; ROMANCING THE STONE; the television series SEA HUNT). Use more specific types of the crime formula when possible, such as Caper, Film Noir, Gangster, Mystery, Police, or Thriller, if one of those aspects is the primary situation or character. For true crime, use Reality-based. Feature examples: THE AMAZING DOCTOR CLITTERHOUSE; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (with Adaptation); DEATH WISH; DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (with Buddy); THE GRIFTERS (with Adaptation); KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (with Comedy); KING OF GAMBLERS (1937); THE LADYKILLERS (with Comedy); LEM HAWKINS' CONFESSION / BRAND OF CAIN (with Ethnic; Social problem); THE PHENIX CITY STORY; PRIZZI'S HONOR (with Dark comedy; Adaptation); PULP FICTION (with Dark comedy); RAFFLES (with Adaptation); THE SHADOW (with Fantasy; Adaptation); TRAFFIC IN SOULS (with Social problem; Exploitation); WISDOM; WITNESS. TV examples: BATMAN (with Science fiction; Parody); CRIME STORY; GANGBUSTERS; THE GREEN HORNET; THE UNTOUCHABLES.

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