The House Across the Street (1949)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Richard L. Bare

Writers:

Roy Chanslor (story)
Russell S. Hughes (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 September 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Dave Joslin, the managing editor of a big-city newspaper, is demoted and moved to the Miss Lonely Hearts...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Miss Lonely Heart | Gangster | Newspaper Publisher | Jail

Cast

Wayne Morris	...	Dave Joslin
Janis Paige	...	Kit Williams
Bruce Bennett	...	Matthew J. Keever
Alan Hale	...	J.B. Grennell
James Mitchell	...	Marty Bremer
Barbara Bates	...	Beth Roberts
James Holden	...	Carl Schrader

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Movie Connections:

Version of Love Is on the Air (1937)

Bewildered Hearts

From a literal standpoint the title for this film seems somewhat irrelevant, since the house across the street only involves the opening sequence. But from a figurative viewpoint, the title is apt, indicating that most urban Americans don't really know much about what is going on across the street from where they live, crime, murder, shakedowns, and such. Across the street could be across the nation.

Dave Joslin (Wayne Morris) is the managing editor for the local newspaper, involved in attacking a crime syndicate running the city headed by boss Keever (Bruce Bennett). When a key witnessed is murdered by Keever's hit-man right in front of a stakeout, Joslin writes a scathing editorial about the ineffectiveness of the police department in handling the mob. Joslin's boss, J.B. Grennell (Alan Hale, Sr.), running scared, orders Joslin to back off. When Joslin refuses, J.B. reassigns him to the Bewildered Hearts office replacing Joslin's lady love, Kit Williams (Janis Paige), who is much obliged to be reassigned. (One wonders if this flick wasn't the basis for the early television sitcom starring Peter Lawford and Marcia Henderson, "Dear Phoebe," where the advice columnist is a man.) While doing his duties as advice to the lovelorn columnist, Joslin stumbles onto a situation that is connected to the mob hit. He and Kit begin a merry chase that leads them into dark corners, near-death escapes, and lots of other fun and mayhem before pulling all the loose ends together.

Wayne Morris is always a joy to watch. Janis Paige doesn't get to sing and dance, but does get to turn in a good performance as assistant sleuth. The rest of the cast is great, especially James Mitchell as Marty Bremer. "The House Across the Street" is basically a comedy-thriller, giving the audience a fair run for its money.