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Mystery Street

  • 19501950
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Mystery Street (1950)
A small-town policeman is assisted by a Harvard professor after the discovery of a human skeleton on a Massachusetts beach.
Play trailer2:25
1 Video
16 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
A small-town policeman is assisted by a Harvard professor after the discovery of a human skeleton on a Massachusetts beach.A small-town policeman is assisted by a Harvard professor after the discovery of a human skeleton on a Massachusetts beach.A small-town policeman is assisted by a Harvard professor after the discovery of a human skeleton on a Massachusetts beach.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Sturges
  • Writers
    • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
    • Richard Brooks(screenplay)
    • Leonard Spigelgass(story)
  • Stars
    • Ricardo Montalban
    • Sally Forrest
    • Bruce Bennett
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Sturges
  • Writers
    • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
    • Richard Brooks(screenplay)
    • Leonard Spigelgass(story)
  • Stars
    • Ricardo Montalban
    • Sally Forrest
    • Bruce Bennett
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 67User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    Official Trailer

    Photos16

    Ricardo Montalban, Bruce Bennett, and Wally Maher in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban, Bruce Bennett, Robert Foulk, and Jim Hayward in Mystery Street (1950)
    Jan Sterling, Jim Frasher, and Arthur M. Loew Jr. in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban in Mystery Street (1950)
    Jan Sterling and Marshall Thompson in Mystery Street (1950)
    Edmon Ryan in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban and Sally Forrest in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban and Sally Forrest in Mystery Street (1950)
    Betsy Blair and Sally Forrest in Mystery Street (1950)
    Sally Forrest and Marshall Thompson in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban, Jan Sterling, and Sally Forrest in Mystery Street (1950)
    Ricardo Montalban and Sally Forrest in Mystery Street (1950)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ricardo Montalban
    Ricardo Montalban
    • Peter Moralasas Peter Moralas
    Sally Forrest
    Sally Forrest
    • Grace Shanwayas Grace Shanway
    Bruce Bennett
    Bruce Bennett
    • Dr. McAdooas Dr. McAdoo
    Elsa Lanchester
    Elsa Lanchester
    • Mrs. Smerrlingas Mrs. Smerrling
    Marshall Thompson
    Marshall Thompson
    • Henry Shanwayas Henry Shanway
    Jan Sterling
    Jan Sterling
    • Vivian Heldonas Vivian Heldon
    Edmon Ryan
    Edmon Ryan
    • James Joshua Harkleyas James Joshua Harkley
    Betsy Blair
    Betsy Blair
    • Jackie Elcottas Jackie Elcott
    Wally Maher
    • Tim Sharkeyas Tim Sharkey
    Ralph Dumke
    Ralph Dumke
    • A Tattooistas A Tattooist
    Willard Waterman
    Willard Waterman
    • A Morticianas A Mortician
    Walter Burke
    Walter Burke
    • An Ornithologistas An Ornithologist
    Don Shelton
    • A District Attorneyas A District Attorney
    Elsie Baker
    Elsie Baker
    • Elderly Ladyas Elderly Lady
    • (uncredited)
    George Brand
    • Man in Bedroomas Man in Bedroom
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Brooks
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Douglas Carter
    • Counterman at The Dunesas Counterman at The Dunes
    • (uncredited)
    Mack Chandler
    • Doormanas Doorman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
      • Richard Brooks(screenplay)
      • Leonard Spigelgass(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The concept of a forensic procedural is common in the 21st century, but was brand new when this movie was made. To cap it off, the hero was played by a Hispanic actor, Ricardo Montalban, who was a big star in Mexico, but who had been mostly cast in Hollywood flicks as a Latin lover before this picture.
    • Goofs
      Length of the chain connecting phone book to wall phone in boarding house varies from scene to scene.
    • Quotes

      Jim Black, tattooist: Know her? Sure, I knew her. I was never close enough to smell her perfume, but I knew her!

    • Crazy credits
      Metro Goldwyn Mayer wishes to thank the president and fellows of Harvard College for their generous cooperation in the making of this picture.
    • Connections
      Featured in Mystery Street: Murder at Harvard (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Love of My Life
      (uncredited)

      Music by Cole Porter

      Played by the band at the Grass Skirt

    User reviews67

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Taut, Suspenseful Crime Drama Features Great Ensemble Cast
    The somewhat generic title "Mystery Street" offers no real clue as to what is contained therein, and belies the fact that this film exhibits some very contemporary themes and devices. It is partnered with "Act of Violence" on a "film noir" DVD which offers an excellent evening of entertainment from two lesser-known movies of that genre.

    Ricardo Montalban plays a Portuguese-American police detective trying to piece together the clues left behind by a skeleton found buried in the sand dunes near Hyannis, Massachusetts. The proceedings are a definite precursor to TV's "C.S.I." and similar series devoted to police forensics and procedures, and a crime lab run by Bruce Bennett at Harvard University features prominently. It's no secret to the audience who the skeletal remains are, but it is for earnest, hardworking Montalban to discover for himself.

    In the process, the youthful Montalban interacts with several potential suspects and witnesses, all the while treating us to his special brand of Latin charisma that made him so popular with female audiences. He's in fine form, confident and looking great in a trench coat and fedora, although sometimes his accent gets a tad in the way.

    The stellar supporting cast includes fabulous Elsa Lanchester as an avaricious and corrupt landlady who soon finds herself in over her head. Her expert dramatics are priceless, and she is allowed ample screen time to flesh-out a unique character who is both compelling and repulsive. Next mention should go to beautiful Jan Sterling in a pivotal role of a cynical but desperate dance hall girl looking to strike it rich. Marshall Thompson and Sally Forrest appear as a young married couple with their share of problems and more than a few secrets. The rest of the cast is filled with great little cameo performances, most with one scene each in rapid-fire succession.

    So fans of classic police drama will find much to enjoy in "Mystery Street," a movie which certainly foreshadows current trends in that genre, and gives fine actors a great showcase for their talent.

    **** out of *****
    helpful•11
    0
    • mikhail080
    • Jul 16, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 11, 1950 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Murder at Harvard
    • Filming locations
      • Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $730,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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