Synopsis:
In New York City, two police detectives (Richard Widmark and Harry Guardino) lose their gun while attempting to bring in a suspect (Steve Ihnat) who got away, and are given 72 hours by their police commissioner (Henry Fonda) to find him. Meanwhile, Fonda is distracted both by his affair with a married woman (Susan Clark), and by news that his long-time colleague (James Whitmore) has been caught taking a bribe; and Widmark must try to placate his lonely wife (Ingrid Stevens).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Detectives and Private Eyes
• Don Siegel Films
• Henry Fonda Films
• James Whitmore Films
• New York City
• Richard Widmark Films
• Susan Clark Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that “Don Siegel directed this police drama that, regrettably, has been overshadowed by his later Dirty Harry” — indeed, he argues “it’s a brilliantly crafted film that all directors should study to see how action scenes should be staged, photographed, and edited.” He points out that the film structure “is split in two,” with one storyline telling the “efforts of tough street detectives” (Widmark and Guardino) “trying to nail a psycho killer who got away from them”:

… and the other focusing on “the efforts of police commissioner Henry Fonda to deal with some minor police corruption involving his life-long friend James Whitmore.”

The juxtaposition of these two narrative threads offers an opportunity for effectively contrasting “Widmark’s frantic world of killers, pimps, addicts, hookers, drunks, stoolies, midgets, and assorted lowlifes and outcasts”:

… with “Fonda’s serene and secure world.” Peary notes that “Widmark gives a standout performance as a very believable cop, one of Siegel’s renegade heroes: he has no idea how to comfort his wife (Inger Stevens), who expects him to lead a normal home life”:

… “and he acts like a nervous kid with his hand in the cookie jar in the presence of the commissioner”:

… “but on the streets he is king, the number-one man at getting the job done” — he is “the man crooks fear and despise and outcasts trust.” Peary further adds that this “exciting, atmospheric film takes time to explore the characters so that by the end we know exactly what makes each tick and what they find most essential in their lives.”

While I’m not quite as much a fan of this film as Peary is, I agree that it’s expertly crafted and offers up enjoyable entertainment. The action sequences alone merit close review given how skillfully they portray rapid-fire movements made on the spot, with potentially life-and-death consequences — from the opening scene in Ihnat’s apartment (which very quickly goes in an unexpected direction), to the tragic closing sequence. This one remains worth a look.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Richard Widmark as Daniel Madigan
  
• Steve Ihnat as Barney Benesch
  
• Russell Metty’s cinematography
  
• Excellent use of location shooting throughout New York (as much as possible)
  

Must See?
Yes, as a fine police thriller.

Categories

• Good Show
• Important Director

Links:

• IMDb entry
• TCM Article
• DVD Talk Review
• Trailers From Hell Review