Cry Danger (1951)

Director:

Robert Parrish

Writers:

Jerome Cady (story)
William Bowers (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Tagline:

Powell's on the Prowl!

Plot:

Ex-con Rocky Mulloy seeks the real culprit in the crime he was framed for, in a night world of deceptive dames and double crosses.

Plot Keywords:

Testimony | Apartment | Trailer Trash | Murder Victim | Investigation

Cast

Dick Powell	...	'Rocky' Mulloy
Rhonda Fleming	...	Nancy Morgan
Richard Erdman	...	Delong
William Conrad	...	Louie Castro
Regis Toomey	...	Detective Lt. Gus Cobb
Jean Porter	...	Darlene LaVonne
Jay Adler	...	Williams, Trailer Park Manager
Joan Banks	...	Alice Fletcher
Gloria Saunders	...	Cigarette Clerk
Hy Averback	...	Harry, Bookie (as Hy Averbach)
Renny McEvoy	...	Taxi Driver
Lou Lubin	...	Hank
Benny Burt	...	Jed Russell, Los Amigos Bartender

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #14738) | Sweden:15 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Olympic Productions Inc.

Trivia:

In an interview with Tom Weaver, Jean Porter said the film was "directed by Dick Powell, and he wasn't given director credit. Dick gave Robert Parrish the director's credit, but Dick did all the directing."

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: As Rocky drives away after dropping Nancy off at work, the cameraman and camera are reflected in the car's rear window glass.

Quotes:

Williams, Trailer Park Manager: I don't like it at all, Mr. Mulloy.
Rocky Mulloy: Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I knew what you were talking about.

Soundtrack:

Cry Danger

Another excellent Powell Noir

Somehow, I missed this little gem over the years.

Excellent location filming, combined with a compelling script and great acting - a definite must-see for "film noir" fans. My only complaint is the somewhat stale performance by Rhonda Fleming - I think they needed somebody a bit more "earthy" for the part. Richard Erdman and Jean Porter are excellent in their supporting roles.

It was rare in 1951, to see so many actual locations in a film, but this is obviously a low-budget enterprise. Plus, the nature of "noir" is almost always to utilize reality, as opposed to artifice. I did notice some sloppiness with the usage of studio sets; the interiors of the trailers were, of course, sets, and many times when characters exit, the blank studio wall is clearly visible.

One goof occurs when Powell's character drops off Fleming at her office. As the car drives away, the cameraman is clearly visible in the window's reflection. Of course, who knew then that a viewer would eventually be able to freeze-frame a shot?

Great film.....highly recommended.