KIRK DOUGLAS deserved at least an Oscar nomination for his role as the high-strung detective who sees things in terms of black and white--no grays in between--while co-star ELEANOR PARKER did receive a Best Actress nomination for her role as his wife with a secret in her past.
William Wyler has taken the stage play and turned it into a gripping story about events unfolding in a New York Police Precinct dealing with all the everyday petty thieves and criminals who keep the police busy trying to sort out their stories. On the debit side, by today's standards, all of the most intense performances seem more than a little melodramatic. And that includes Douglas and Parker.
Yet, the film remains fascinating. Kirk's character, a man of rigid principles with a strict moral code, is unable to forgive his wife for her past indiscretions, and his wife realizes that she can't live with a man who's unable to let go of his accusing nature.
LEE GRANT does a brilliant job as a nerdy shoplifter, although her New York accent seems a bit forced at times. All the precinct characters, including WILLIAM BENDIX and FRANK FAYLEN, are marvelously well cast, as is CATHY O'DONNELL as the sweet young thing who wants to do the right thing for a good guy nabbed for embezzling.
It all works beautifully, as directed by William Wyler, with the melodrama reaching a fever pitch once certain disclosures are made involving Kirk's marital problems.
Summing up: Outstanding performances and riveting story make this a must see.
William Wyler has taken the stage play and turned it into a gripping story about events unfolding in a New York Police Precinct dealing with all the everyday petty thieves and criminals who keep the police busy trying to sort out their stories. On the debit side, by today's standards, all of the most intense performances seem more than a little melodramatic. And that includes Douglas and Parker.
Yet, the film remains fascinating. Kirk's character, a man of rigid principles with a strict moral code, is unable to forgive his wife for her past indiscretions, and his wife realizes that she can't live with a man who's unable to let go of his accusing nature.
LEE GRANT does a brilliant job as a nerdy shoplifter, although her New York accent seems a bit forced at times. All the precinct characters, including WILLIAM BENDIX and FRANK FAYLEN, are marvelously well cast, as is CATHY O'DONNELL as the sweet young thing who wants to do the right thing for a good guy nabbed for embezzling.
It all works beautifully, as directed by William Wyler, with the melodrama reaching a fever pitch once certain disclosures are made involving Kirk's marital problems.
Summing up: Outstanding performances and riveting story make this a must see.