Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Movie review – “Cry of the City” (1948) ***1/2 (warning: spoilers)

Victor Mature made a number of quality film noirs in his career, of which this is one. He actually doesn’t really have the lead role – that part is played by Richard Conte, as a crook with honor, who has been injured in a robbery. Mature is a cop, a childhood friend who chases him down. The casting of Mature and Conte (both actors are good, they could have easily) swapped roles allows the ethnic/immigrant quality of the story and location to come to the fore; there are also some excellent support performances, including Shelley Winters (as a – surprise – girl from the wrong side of the tracks), Fred Clarke (in a non-comic role for a change, and very good) and especially Hope Emerson who plays the creepy nurse. You won't forget the scene where Emerson gives Conte a back rub then puts her hands around his throat - it's great. Robert Siodmak’s direction is excellent – crisp, atmospheric, controlled. Striking ending where Mature shoots Conte in the back - no kidding, he plugs him, and isn't punished for it.

No comments: