The Cop (1928): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1928, The Cop is a notable film directed by Donald Crisp.

What it’s about. Pete Smith, a lift bridge operator in a harbor, feels lonely in his cabin, his only visitor being a policeman on patrol, Sgt. Coughlin. One night, after hearing shots, Smith gives shelter to a wounded man, whom he hides from Coughlin. Before leaving, the man, Marcas, promises to return the favor and the coat he borrows from him. Later, Smith enters the police, and his chief, Mather, suspects he is protecting Marcas, who is actually a gangster. Marcas sends a girl, Mary Monks, to deliver a luxurious coat with a fur collar to Smith. Pete and Mary get along well, and for his sake, she betrays Marcas, who is eventually shot to death by the cops, after having stopped his mob from killing Smith. Mary goes away alone into the night, and when Mather finds out that Pete is protecting her, he drops away the evidence of her presence on the spot.

Who’s in it. The Cop stars William Boyd as Pete Smith, Alan Hale as Mather, Robert Armstrong as Scarface Marcas and Jacqueline Logan as Mary Monks, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Cop page.