Philip Yordan (1914–2003)

Douglas's intense, borderline-insane performance as a detective is at the center of this story, but it is the performances by the women that provide the depth and nuance that makes this film memorable. Eleanor Parker received a nomination for best actress, even though she is on screen for only a little more than 20 minutes, which is apparently some sort of record. She is Eleanor Parker, however, so you can't take your eyes off her when she IS on screen. Lee Grant, in her first film (although reprising her role on Broadway) is the semi-comic relief as a shoplifter who sits and watches everything occur over the course of an evening at the 21st Precinct. She brings an indefinable quality that makes the character much more interesting than might be suspected. More than anyone else, she represents us--the audience. Grant was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Joseph Wiseman stands out for his rather exaggerated performance as a burglar facing life imprisonment due to the number of his previous arrests. Dobie Gillis's father is another of the detectives. Although this film is considered the forerunner of shows like Hill Street Blues, in its constricted setting of a room with a bunch of detectives sitting around, it is much more like Barney Miller. But as the events of the evening transpire, it becomes clear this is no comedy. Not everything ends neatly. Very well done.… (mais)

Wilde and Conte are sensational as a determined police lieutenant and the ruthless gangster he is after. Wallace (Wilde's real-life wife) is Conte's troubled girl, with no seeming way out of her predicament. Wilde's character has had her followed for six months and his boss says he's in love with her. Maybe so, but beautiful dancer Helene Stanton has a thing for Wilde, and she's a lot more balanced mentally. Ms. Stanton only made about 10 films before marrying a doctor, a marriage that lasted 52 years until his death. But it was a loss for Hollywood. She was beautiful and had charisma to spare. Van Cleef and Holliman are great as Conte's hired guns, who perpetrate more than a bit of mayhem during the running time, and Donlevy is effective as Conte's cowed second in command--who gets no respect from nobody. Everything about this film is well done. Highly recommended. (Worth noting: I kept staring at Wilde in the beginning of this film wondering where I had seen him--and I came to realize that he bears a striking resemblance to Gary Sinise!)… (mais)