{"id":80658,"date":"2022-01-26T23:42:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T06:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80658"},"modified":"2022-01-26T23:47:59","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T06:47:59","slug":"lion-is-in-the-streets-a-1953","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80658","title":{"rendered":"Lion Is in The Streets, A (1953)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Sometimes a man ain&#8217;t got time for common sense.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster-198x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-80660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster-674x1024.png 674w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster-178x270.png 178w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Poster.png 721w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn the Deep South, a street peddler (Jimmy Cagney) marries a schoolteacher (Barbara Hale) and has an affair with an adoring teenager (Anne Francis) while pursuing a career in politics and growing increasingly compromised in his ideals.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anne Francis Films<\/li>\n<li>Barbara Hale Films<\/li>\n<li>Deep South<\/li>\n<li>Jimmy Cagney Films<\/li>\n<li>John McIntire Films<\/li>\n<li>Lon Chaney, Jr. Films<\/li>\n<li>Political Corruption\n<li>Raoul Walsh Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nIt&#8217;s easy to see why both Jimmy Cagney and Raoul Walsh later preferred not to discuss their involvement in this clunker of a political melodrama, loosely based on the life of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Huey_Long\">Huey Long<\/a> (though by the time it was released, Robert Rossen&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43417\"><em>All the Kings&#8217; Men<\/em><\/a> had already covered the same territory to award-winning acclaim). It comes across as a weird sort of vanity project, showcasing Cagney as a charismatic but poor peddler who somehow manages to sweep naive Hale off her feet:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80673\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-Hale-Cagney2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; while maintaining the undying love of Francis (playing a bayou girl named &#8220;Flamingo&#8221;), who is upset to learn he&#8217;s gotten married and doesn&#8217;t consider that any kind of barrier to them spending their life together.   <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Flamingo-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The crux of the storyline focuses on Cagney&#8217;s attempt to expose a local cotton company owner (Larry Keating) of cheating, and the trouble his friend Jeb Brown (John McIntire) gets into when things unintentionally turn violent. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-The-Streets-McIntire-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Cagney doesn&#8217;t seem to realize how addicted he is to power and success, eventually viewing his own political ascension as worthy of cheating and lying. The film is filled with ripe dialogue (&#8220;I&#8217;ll always be there waiting &#8212; belonging to you like a mule in a barn!&#8221;) and ludicrous scenarios that defy belief (i.e., the entire crocodile scene): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-th-Streets-Crocodile2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but it all becomes morbidly fascinating during the final ten minutes or so, when we suddenly see events playing out in a fashion eerily reminiscent of recent American history. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-Is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Speaking-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch for Lon Chaney, Jr. as Francis&#8217;s dad: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80669\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Chaney-Jr-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Jimmy&#8217;s sister Jeanne in a pivotal supporting role as McIntire&#8217;s wife: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-is-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Cagney-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Harry Stradling&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lion-In-the-Streets-Cagney-Francis-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNope; you can skip this one unless you&#8217;re curious. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0046002\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1953\/09\/24\/archives\/the-screen-in-review-a-lion-is-in-the-streets-opens-at-paramount.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/a-lion-is-in-the-streets\/review\/2030283953\/\">TV Guide Review (spoiler alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/24788\/a-lion-is-in-the-streets#articles-reviews?articleId=410230\">TCM Article (spoiler alert) <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Sometimes a man ain&#8217;t got time for common sense.&#8221; Synopsis: In the Deep South, a street peddler (Jimmy Cagney) marries a schoolteacher (Barbara Hale) and has an affair with an adoring teenager (Anne Francis) while pursuing a career in politics and growing increasingly compromised in his ideals. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anne Francis Films Barbara Hale Films Deep South Jimmy Cagney Films John McIntire Films Lon Chaney, Jr. Films Political Corruption Raoul Walsh Films Review: It&#8217;s easy to see&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80658\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=80658"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80685,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80658\/revisions\/80685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=80658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=80658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=80658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}