Detective Story (1951)

On one day in the 21st Precinct squad room, assorted characters form a backdrop for the troubles of hard-nosed Detective Jim McLeod.

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Philip Yordan (screenplay), Robert Wyler (screenplay),

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Det. James McLeod
Eleanor Parker	...	Mary McLeod
William Bendix	...	Det. Lou Brody
Cathy O'Donnell	...	Susan Carmichael
George Macready	...	Karl Schneider
Horace McMahon	...	Lt. Monaghan
Gladys George	...	Miss Hatch
Joseph Wiseman	...	Charley Gennini
Lee Grant	...	Shoplifter
Gerald Mohr	...	Tami Giacoppetti
Frank Faylen	...	Det. Gallagher
Craig Hill	...	Arthur Kindred
Michael Strong	...	Lewis Abbott
Luis Van Rooten	...	Joe Feinson
Bert Freed	...	Det. Dakis

Storyline

Jim McLeod is a hard-nosed and cynical detective. He believes in a strict interpretation of the law and doesn't believe in turning the other cheek. The current object of his zealousness is Karl Schneider, an abortionist responsible for the death of several young women. Schneider's lawyer tells the precinct lieutenant that McLeod has his own personal reasons for going after his client. It turns out that his wife was a patient before they met, although Jim knew nothing of it. His world suddenly turned upside down, McLeod is too late in re-evaluating his priorities.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | shoplifter | policeman | purse | multiple storyline | 

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Taglines:

The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1952 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

William Wyler's Production of Sidney Kingsley's Detective Story

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The USS Juneau, mentioned by Detective Brody, was a light cruiser sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. Its loss was notable for the deaths of five brothers from the one family, the Sullivans.

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Goofs

In some of the close-up shots of McLeod and Schneider in the back of the paddy wagon, McLeod's shadow can be faintly seen on the rear-projection screen showing the street behind them. (Other shadows can also be seen.)

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Quotes

Detective James McLeod: You shouldn't drink so much. It melts the lining of your brain.

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Connections

Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Kirk Douglas (1991)

User Reviews

Overacted to the sky

I was always interested in seeing this movie and thanks to a storm in NYC and my disinterest in going to work, I finally watched this movie.

I was very disappointed. I found the movie to be highly and needlessly dramatic by all involved. I thought all the characters were cardboard-based, especially Lee Grant, who overdoes her New Yawk accent so much it made a shiver go down my spine. Douglas & Parker have a decent scene or two but for the most part do not connect with each other.

Best scene by miles was one where Gladys George (she was the nuts widow in "The Maltese Falcon") goes to the precinct to pick a criminal from a line-up. She is on screen for maybe 90 seconds, but they were the realest thing in this sappy and stagey movie.

I have a lot of respect for William Wyler and the cast, normally, but this one misfired, for me at least.