After 5 years in prison, ex-cop Steve Rollins is paroled and searches for the San Francisco mobsters who framed him for manslaughter.
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Title: Hell on Frisco Bay (1955)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Alan Ladd | ... | Steve Rollins | |
| Edward G. Robinson | ... | Victor Amato | |
| Joanne Dru | ... | Marcia Rollins | |
| William Demarest | ... | Dan Bianco | |
| Paul Stewart | ... | Joe Lye | |
| Perry Lopez | ... | Mario Amato | |
| Fay Wray | ... | Kay Stanley | |
 |
Renata Vanni | ... | Anna Amato |
| Nestor Paiva | ... | Louis Fiaschetti | |
| Stanley Adams | ... | Hammy | |
| Willis Bouchey | ... | Police Lt. Paul Neville | |
| Peter Hansen | ... | Detective Connors (as Peter Hanson) | |
| Anthony Caruso | ... | Sebastian Pasmonick | |
|
|
Peter J. Votrian | ... | George Pasmonick (as Peter Votrian) |
| George J. Lewis | ... | Father Larocca | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (42) »
Storyline
When ex-cop Steve Rollins is released from San Quentin after five years, his only thoughts are of revenge on the men who framed him for manslaughter. Back in San Francisco, his quest for the truth brings him up against ruthless waterfront gang boss Victor Amato. Written by Ian Harries <ih@doc.ic.ac.uk>
Plot Keywords:
police corruption | ex convict | based on novel | gunfight | dysfunctional marriage |Taglines:
It was time to get even - or get killed ! See more »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
28 January 1956 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Darkest Hour See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (WarnerColor)Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1
Edit
Victor Amato: Why? You got something better to do?
Joe Lye: I didn't say so.
Victor Amato: That broken-down movie star waiting outside?
Joe Lye: She's retired, not broken-down.
Victor Amato: Sensitive about that tomato, ain't ya?
Joe Lye: Oh, Kay's alright.
Victor Amato: Good-looking?
Joe Lye: So-so.
Victor Amato: That where you were? Her apartment?
[...]
See more »
(1924) (uncredited)
Music by Isham Jones
Words by Gus Kahn
Sung by Joanne Dru in the nightclub (dubbed by Bonnie Lou Williams)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The interior police station set is the same one used for Rebel Without A Cause (1955) which was released 2 months earlier. See more »Quotes
Joe Lye: Think the old man will be getting here pretty soon?Victor Amato: Why? You got something better to do?
Joe Lye: I didn't say so.
Victor Amato: That broken-down movie star waiting outside?
Joe Lye: She's retired, not broken-down.
Victor Amato: Sensitive about that tomato, ain't ya?
Joe Lye: Oh, Kay's alright.
Victor Amato: Good-looking?
Joe Lye: So-so.
Victor Amato: That where you were? Her apartment?
[...]
See more »
Soundtracks
It Had To Be You(1924) (uncredited)
Music by Isham Jones
Words by Gus Kahn
Sung by Joanne Dru in the nightclub (dubbed by Bonnie Lou Williams)
See more »
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In Hell on Frisco Bay Alan Ladd who also produced this film plays an ex-cop who's served five years on a manslaughter rap for which he was wrongly convicted. Of course as in the case of noir films he's on a mission to find the real killer and clear himself.
It doesn't take him long to sniff out a trail that leads to San Francisco underworld boss Edward G. Robinson. Robinson is easily the best in the cast. He's as malevolent as he was in Little Caesar or at least in Key Largo.
It's not that Hell on Frisco Bay is a bad film, but it's all so routine for Alan Ladd. He would not transition into character roles as he hit his forties. His legion fans which were gradually dwindling by this time still wanted their guy in action hero parts.
He's not terribly animated here. I wouldn't have been surprised if he was ill during the making of this. In a way that might have helped the believability factor. Five years in jail would have given him a certain prison pallor to his complexion.
Alan Ladd liked having friends around and the cast here is filled with players who were close personal friends and/or co-workers from his Paramount days. They include, Anthony Caruso, George J. Lewis, Peter Hansen, Perry Lopez, William Demarest. Look for young Rod Taylor as a contract killer and Jayne Mansfield in her screen debut as a bimbo.
Joanne Dru plays the estranged Mrs. Ladd and was probably grateful to be in a modern setting. Paul Stewart gives a memorable performance as Robinson's chief henchman along with his lady love Fay Wray who played a former movie star who was keeping company with Stewart. Their relationship with Robinson is the key to the story.
Cinemascope and noir usually don't mix, but in this case with the final scene being a police chase and fight with speedboats across San Francisco bay, cinemascope helped greatly.
Fans of both Alan Ladd and Edward G. Robinson will enjoy this film.