The following contains A MAJOR PLOT SPOILER!
This film is as bad as they come and was a total waste of 83 minutes. It is supposedly a film noir, but all it has is the look of noir, and it's not a very good imitation of the real noir look, either. The film is based on a musical called "City Nights" by Glenn M. Stewart, which may account for why most of the film takes place in one set, the Tower nightclub. At first, this nightclub is interesting to look at, but later it becomes boring--same old stuff--and claustrophobic. Aren't we ever going to get out of here? The plot is contained in about four expository speeches rather than being conveyed through action and discovery by the characters. Chaz Davenport's father was murdered, though his death is ruled a suicide, and Chaz is disinherited. We later learn that Chaz's uncle killed the father. It all has to do with the The Consolidated Power Company in LA that Chaz's father and uncle own and their need to control the power in the city. To do so requires the cooperation of the state's governor. When Chaz's father doesn't show enough force in dealing with the governor, the uncle kills him and takes control. Yada, yada, yada, who gives a damn? In case you're wondering, there is no happy ending. Chaz ends up shot to death by the uncle, as if this ending will give the film the necessary punch-up that it's lacked all along. Instead, it's just a blah. Why? Because the characters are never developed in depth; I never cared for the characters or what happened to them, whether they lived or died was of no matter.
Gabriel Mann, who plays Chaz Davenport, would be appropriately cast in the Dobie Gillis TV series. He's definitely a good boy, 1950's style. The best that can be said about Bijou Phillips as Crystal is that she learned her lines and said them without stuttering. Izabella Miko, who plays the singer Madelaine, bears a startling resemblance to Michelle Pfeiffer, which only makes clears all the talent that Miko lacks. And Elias Koteas as the Lieutenant ought to be ashamed of himself for appearing in such junk.
The dance numbers are but a poor imitation of Busby Berkeley routines, lack any variety, and quickly become boring. The songs are ordinary, and it appears all the singers are dubbed with singing voices that are no match for their speaking voices.
Some of the dialogue is risible, which will give you the only laughs you're going to get here.
Since this film was based on a musical, why not keep it a musical? But then it would have to compete directly with "Chicago," I suppose, and that would be a disaster for "Dark Streets." I thought that perhaps the filmmakers were trying to make a ballad--a story in song--but that gives them too much credit.
This film is as bad as they come and was a total waste of 83 minutes. It is supposedly a film noir, but all it has is the look of noir, and it's not a very good imitation of the real noir look, either. The film is based on a musical called "City Nights" by Glenn M. Stewart, which may account for why most of the film takes place in one set, the Tower nightclub. At first, this nightclub is interesting to look at, but later it becomes boring--same old stuff--and claustrophobic. Aren't we ever going to get out of here? The plot is contained in about four expository speeches rather than being conveyed through action and discovery by the characters. Chaz Davenport's father was murdered, though his death is ruled a suicide, and Chaz is disinherited. We later learn that Chaz's uncle killed the father. It all has to do with the The Consolidated Power Company in LA that Chaz's father and uncle own and their need to control the power in the city. To do so requires the cooperation of the state's governor. When Chaz's father doesn't show enough force in dealing with the governor, the uncle kills him and takes control. Yada, yada, yada, who gives a damn? In case you're wondering, there is no happy ending. Chaz ends up shot to death by the uncle, as if this ending will give the film the necessary punch-up that it's lacked all along. Instead, it's just a blah. Why? Because the characters are never developed in depth; I never cared for the characters or what happened to them, whether they lived or died was of no matter.
Gabriel Mann, who plays Chaz Davenport, would be appropriately cast in the Dobie Gillis TV series. He's definitely a good boy, 1950's style. The best that can be said about Bijou Phillips as Crystal is that she learned her lines and said them without stuttering. Izabella Miko, who plays the singer Madelaine, bears a startling resemblance to Michelle Pfeiffer, which only makes clears all the talent that Miko lacks. And Elias Koteas as the Lieutenant ought to be ashamed of himself for appearing in such junk.
The dance numbers are but a poor imitation of Busby Berkeley routines, lack any variety, and quickly become boring. The songs are ordinary, and it appears all the singers are dubbed with singing voices that are no match for their speaking voices.
Some of the dialogue is risible, which will give you the only laughs you're going to get here.
Since this film was based on a musical, why not keep it a musical? But then it would have to compete directly with "Chicago," I suppose, and that would be a disaster for "Dark Streets." I thought that perhaps the filmmakers were trying to make a ballad--a story in song--but that gives them too much credit.