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:

Rebels With Cause?

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sidney Lumet was the director of the TV version of this drama.

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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: Why don't you stop sucking around? What, are you in love with us or something?
Ben Wagner: Sucking around is my job.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

User Reviews

What A Talk Fest

There's very little action in this film. Set mostly on one grungy New York City street, the story revolves around a group of teenage hoodlums, members of the "Hornets" street gang. Their leader is Frankie (John Cassavetes), a super-angry dude who lives with his whiny mom and little brother in a cheap, squalid apartment overlooking the street. These guys, about 12 of them, talk tough. But that's mostly all it is ... talk.

The story could easily be seen as a stage play. Three or four studio sets with cheap production design and controlled lighting could function as a backdrop for the performers. That's exactly the way the film comes across. Dialogue is important since there's so much of it. In this movie, the dialogue is acceptable, though a tad melodramatic. There's lots of expressed anger, angst, and whining. And an adult social worker and the father of one of the gang members dish out lots of paternalistic advice to Frankie and his buddies.

High-contrast B&W lighting is probably the best element of the film. It conveys a noir atmosphere. The lighting, combined with the prod design, sets, and costumes, conveys a dreary, depressing tone. Background music is unremarkable. Casting is acceptable. Acting is well above average. As Frankie's mom, Virginia Gregg gives an especially nice performance.

It's not a bad movie. But I prefer more action and changes in scenery, and less talk. If the viewer likes stage plays with some good acting, "Crime In The Streets" is a pretty good 1950s juvenile delinquency film.

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