City of Fear

19591959
PassedPassed
1h 21m

6.4/10

A vicious killer escapes from San Quentin with a cannister of what he believes to be heroin but is actually a radioactive substance that threatens all Los Angeles.A vicious killer escapes from San Quentin with a cannister of what he believes to be heroin but is actually a radioactive substance that threatens all Los Angeles.A vicious killer escapes from San Quentin with a cannister of what he believes to be heroin but is actually a radioactive substance that threatens all Los Angeles.

6.4/10

Director
- Irving Lerner
Writers
- Steven Ritch(original screenplay)
- Robert Dillon(original screenplay)
Stars

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Trailer 1:55

City of Fear

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Director
- Irving Lerner
Writers
- Steven Ritch(original screenplay)
- Robert Dillon(original screenplay)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Vicious drug dealer Vince Ryker escapes from San Quentin with another prisoner after stabbing a guard to death and stealing what he believes to be a cannister filled with experimental heroin from the prison hospital. In reality the container is filled with cobalt-60, a highly radioactive substance which threatens the entire city if it is somehow opened. The ruthless Ryker dumps his dying cellmate and murders a bypassing motorist, burning his body beyond recognition. Assuming a new identity, Ryker heads for Los Angeles to become reunited with his beautiful girlfriend and Crown, a corrupt businessman and front man for Ryker's drug business. Fully aware of the potential dangers of the situation, the authorities are engaged in race against time to recover the cannister and avoid citywide panic. —duke1029@aol.com

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Taglines
- A City in terror... Chills for millions...
Genres
Certificate
- Passed
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
In 2000 cobalt-60 was unwittingly exposed in a scrap metal dump in Thailand. Several of the workers became ill and subsequently died. This was the only recorded incident involving the radioactive substance.

Goofs
When Jeanne, the shoestore clerk goes into the back shed to look for a particular style of shoe for a customer, the customer is left in an empty shop. After a few minutes as Jeanne is trapped, the customer impatiently leaves because there is no one there in the shop to help her. Minutes later when the police arrive, there are clerks and customers in the store whom they immediately evacuate.

Quotes
Vince Ryker: Let me take a look at you. You haven't changed.
Vince Ryker: [Her expression turns serious, and he looks down] You have changed. The first year you take it, and the second year you change. Then you get out.
June Marlowe: Not this way.
Vince Ryker: What difference does it make? I'm out the right way. Could you have waited eight years?
June Marlowe: I'd have waited.
Vince Ryker: For what? An ex-con? Do you know the difference between a con and an ex-con? Well, there isn't any. You're just dead meat, dishwashing the rest of your life.

Connections
Referenced in Little Nicky (2000)

Top review

6/10

Great Los Angeles on-location cinematography and '50s cars

It's not a classic by any means. But it has its virtues - the black and white cinematography, the great jazzy soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith, and particularly the extensive on-location shooting in and around Los Angeles. There are lots of scenes of 1950s cars cruising the street, store fronts and interiors - more than average, because they're looking for the protagonist. Living in LA, I especially enjoyed that. As for the plot, I've seen three or four similar plotted stories the last year - someone is contagious and threatens the city, or is carrying something radioactive, etc. This one had a slightly less plausible plot line, since the police weren't particularly protective. But I soaked up the ancillary elements - the acting was passable, the camera-work and lighting were above average - and I'm a sucker for the '50s.

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