Another tough early fifties film, this one about the NYPD and one particularly 'principled' detective (Kirk Douglas) who seems no better than the criminals. Based on a play by Sidney Kingsley and written by Philip Yordan and Robert Wyler (William's older brother), it takes place over a single night in the station, barely moving outside. Lee Garmes catches everything in deep focus.
Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell (Robert Wyler's wife), George Macready (suspected abortionist), Horace McMahon (lieutenant), Lee Grant (simple shoplifter), Gladys George, Joseph Wiseman (a shade too crazy for me), Gerald Mohr, Frank Faylen, Craig Hill, Michael Strong (thick burglar).
Interesting to hear the admission that some cops were on the take back then.
Risky for Douglas to be playing back-to-back such monsters in this and Ace in the Hole; the next year's Hawks picture The Big Trail puts him back in the hero mode. (Hawks? Hero? OK - flawed good guy. Not that I've actually seen the film. Why haven't I seen the film?)
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| Russell Evans, Michael Strong, Joseph Wiseman |
No music. Paramount. Rather liked Tom Milne's comment for Time Out that 'several characters come on as though auditioning for a Method class'.
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