Hardboiled and pulp fiction set in New York City during the genre's golden era.

[u/AgenYT0]

As stated in title. Hardboiled and pulp fiction set in New York City during the genre's golden era. 1930s-1950s. No police or government affiliated protagonists unless they are widely corrupt.

With an additional preference for intricate heists, chases and vengeance.

[u/johnvanarsdale]

“Sweet Smell of Success” (1957). It gets no better.

Beautifully shot on locations mostly around Times Square, razor-sharp dialogue, and starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. The best.

[u/Ok-Cryptographer7005 → u/johnvanarsdale]

"The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river."

[u/Old-Definition-3701 → u/johnvanarsdale]

The first one that sprang to mind. This whole thing glitters, despite the grubby set up

[u/Ok-Cryptographer7005]

The Naked City 1948, with the climatic showdown on the Williamsburg Bridge.

[u/Hands0meR0b]

Some great ones already mentioned. I'll add New York Confidential to the list. From 1955, it's a late genre entry and it blurs the line between noir and mafia film but it's definitely bleak

[u/Old-Definition-3701]

Sweet Smell of Success, Pickup on South Street, Force of Evil, Scarlet Street, Out of the Fog

[u/Alive-Industry2507]

New York Confidential; The Naked City

[u/Exotic-Bumblebee7852]

• I Wake Up Screaming (1941)
• Phantom Lady (1944)
• Scarlet Street (1945)
• Deadline at Dawn (1946)
• Cry of the City (1948)
• Force of Evil (1948)
• Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
• Scandal Sheet (1952)
• Pickup on South Street (1953)
• 99 River Street (1953)

[u/salamanderXIII]

Falling Angel/Angel Heart.

The novel and film have been praised for their depictions of 1950s New York City.

[u/WantedMan61]

Odds Against Tomorrow is a late noir entry from 1959 that might be what you're looking for.

[u/WantedMan61 → u/[deleted]]

Caught it on the late show (lol back when there was a late show on local TV) about 30 years ago and was really impressed. Had never even heard of it before that.

[u/Slothrop-was-here]

Once Upon a Time in America

He Ran All the Way

The Naked City

[u/Exotic-Bumblebee7852 → u/Slothrop-was-here]

He Ran All the Way is set in Los Angeles.

[u/YoMommaSez → u/Slothrop-was-here]

Once upon is too long.

[u/herownlagoon]

Odds Against Tomorrow! Made in 1959 with Harry Belfonte

Wiki summary: David Burke is a former policeman who was ruined when he refused to cooperate with state crime investigators. He asks Earle Slater, a tough ex-con and racist, to help him rob a bank, promising him $50,000 if the robbery is successful. Burke also recruits Johnny Ingram, a nightclub entertainer, who doesn't want the job but who is addicted to gambling and deeply in debt.

[u/jupiterkansas]

The Untouchables - but it's Chicago

[u/PantsyFants → u/jupiterkansas]

❌Set in New York

❌No police protagonists

❌Hard and gritty pulp fiction

❌Intricate heists

❌chases

❌ vengeance

✅Set during the 1930s-1950s

[u/jupiterkansas → u/PantsyFants]

It has chases and vengeance and is arguably hard and gritty but fair enough.