Crime in the Streets (1956)

Social worker tries to befriend local slum gang.

Director:

Don Siegel (as Donald Siegel)

Writers:

Reginald Rose (story), Reginald Rose (screenplay)

Stars:

John Cassavetes, Sal Mineo, James Whitmore

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Whitmore	...	Ben Wagner
John Cassavetes	...	Frankie Dane
Sal Mineo	...	Angelo Gioia
Mark Rydell	...	Lou Macklin
Virginia Gregg	...	Mrs. Dane
Peter J. Votrian	...	Richie Dane (as Peter Votrian)
Will Kuluva	...	Mr. Gioia
Malcolm Atterbury	...	Mr. McAllister
Denise Alexander	...	Maria Gioia
Dan Terranova	...	Blockbuster
Peter Miller	...	The Fighter
Steve Rowland	...	Glasses

Storyline

On a city's mean streets, the boys join gangs at 15. Frankie leads the Hornets: he's 18, seething, coiled. When a neighbor goes to the cops after seeing one of the Hornets with a zip gun, Frankie vows to kill the old guy, hatching a plan using Lou, who smiles and smokes, and "Baby," the 15-year-old son of an immigrant shopkeeper. Ben Wagner, the social worker at a neighborhood settlement house, gets wind of the plan and tries to break through to Frankie. Frankie's brother Richie, who's about 12, worships and fears Frankie; he also figures out what his brother is up to. Is Frankie doomed to crash and burn at 18?

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Plot Keywords:

poverty row film | low budget film | double feature film | death of family member | damsel in distress | 

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Taglines:

How Can You Tell Them To Be Good When Their Girl Friends Like Them Better When They're Bad!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sal Mineo (Angelo Giola) and James Whitmore (Ben Wagner) later appear together in "The Young Don't Cry" (1957)

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Goofs

After McAllister slaps Frankie, a shadow of the camera is visible on Frankie as it pulls back.

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Quotes

Frankie Dane: [seeing Ben in his room] Whatta yuh want up here? Nobody asked you.
Ben Wagner: I don't want anything. I... was just downstairs and realized I never seen your place before.
Frankie Dane: [sarcastically] Well, feast your eyes tonight. It's staight out of Hollywood.
Ben Wagner: That's a pretty lousy place.

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Connections

Referenced in Not for Publication (1984)

User Reviews

A Hornets' Nest

For revenge and thrills, juvenile delinquent gang leader John Cassavetes (as Frank "Frankie" Dane) plots to kill a man. Nail-biting Sal Mineo (as Angelo "Baby" Gioia) will lure the man into an alley, open-mouthed Mark Rydell (as Lou Macklin) will hold him down, and Mr. Cassavetes will slice and dice him to death. Little brother Peter Votrian (as Richie Dane) overhears Cassavetes planning the murder, and tells concerned social worker James Whitmore (as Ben Wagner). But, try as he might, Mr. Whitmore is unable to reform Cassavetes before the scheduled stabbing.

The excellent script for "Crime in the Streets" was written by Reginald Rose, and had previously been seen as a live installment ABC-TV's "The Elgin Hour" (a dramatic anthology series). Television in the 1950s became fertile ground for great performances, and Whitmore's last attempt to reach Cassavetes, on the fire escape, is certainly high drama. The entire production is wonderfully acted; and, while Cassavetes is clearly far too old for the part, at least he gets a chance to repeat his role for film.

Mineo gives the "Hornets" some youth appeal, and shows off his ability to react to other actors. Rydell, who became quite a successful director, is interesting. The lesser roles are fine. And, seeming to come out of left field, young Votrian is startlingly good. The specially designed outdoor set gives it a surreal quality, and director Don Siegel manages it beautifully. The plot is almost Shakespearian, and with the addition of music, you could imagine a certain "West Side Story" being born...

********* Crime in the Streets (6/10/56) Don Siegel, Reginald Rose ~ John Cassavetes, James Whitmore, Sal Mineo, Peter Votrian

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

10 June 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crimen en las calles

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lindbrook Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1