Chuck Connors! He was my Dad's roommate at Villanova University. Chuck was originally a baseball allstar who got a scholarship to become a professional baseball player. However he was discovered as an actor for his size and good looks. He went for it. My Dad was also an all-star football player who got his scholarship for sports. Son of Irish immigrants from Philadelphia.
Gary Merrill was ALWAYS underestimated as a versatile actor. Critics claimed his performances were wooden, but they failed to appreciate his expressive face and voice. This was one of his best performances, and one I never saw before. Jan Sterling came from a well to do family, but played the round heel tramp perfectly. Regis Toomey was his usual professional self and even the unknowns like Joe Turkel and the rest were in top form. Thanks for digging this one up. It was a winner.
I totally agree with your comment about Mr Merrill. Am looking forward to watching this mid-50s crime drama. Noir is my favorite genre & this looks like it's right up my alley !
Gary Merrill's versatility as an actor was often overlooked by critics who failed to appreciate his expressive face and voice. However, this film showcased one of his best performances. Jan Sterling played the role of a tramp convincingly and Regis Toomey was his usual professional self. Even the lesser-known actors like Joe Turkel were in top form. Overall, it was a great film.
I watched this one twice within a week. Surprisingly good. I have new respect for Gary Merrill in this film. He is really good. Well done in every way.
Many people leaving Comments here are obsessed with defining this film as 'noir' or as not 'noir'. *I'd suggest that we just relax and watch the film rather than spending our time categorizing everything in sight.
Man watches with categories. Man guides his life w/categories, whether he knows it or not. He needs categories to live. Good categories. Life should guide the categories. Atlas Shrugged
"Rustle up some stenographers and get it all down while it's still hot!" I've watched a lot of film noir and this one is definitely both obscure and well made. Thanks!
Gary Merrill was a great and very believable actor whether playing the lead role or as a supporting actor. Enjoyed his performance in 12 o'clock high with Gregory Peck very much. Had never seen this one before, so watching him as the lead was a nice treat! Thanks for posting, you just got another subscriber.
Jan Sterling was an amazing actress. Easy on the eyes, too. Loved her in a supporting role in Caged, starring the great Eleanor Parker, as an inmate. Jan was a fine film noir presence.
Emile Meyer is the tough cop in this one. In SHANE (1953), his Riker character was the theme of the entire picture, dominating the dialog, and the fccus of the conflict. His acting was powerful and gave us an indelible screen heavy. But Hats Off To Hollywood, he got 6th or 7th billing, among those with their names in the small print. Here, he really shines.
@@p.stephens9305 Ha ! I remember that line from "Sweet Smell of Success" ! Emile's corrupt cop Lt. Kello was describing Tony Curtis' sleazy publicity agent character.
Regis Toomey was a real find for me. I watched "Other Men's Women" and wanted to see more of him. I love to see him by surprise. Throw in Jan Sterling and I'll watch all night. They both appear in "The High and the Mighty" (1954) a film that started my facination for Jan Sterling. The intro for that movie states that it was "Introducing Jan Sterling" even though I'm sure I've seen her in earlier productions including this one, also 1954 and "Ace in the Hole" (1951). Good actors.
Not sure this really is 'noir' more 'crime/drama' there is no private detective and the lead role is a copper, what is your definition of noir in terms of plot and character elements, noir is an over used term these days.
@@Kidraver555 Wiki says noir is a "stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations." I also think great character actor performances make noir. A private detective is definitely not required, imho. Gun Crazy is definitely a noir. When I first fell in love with the genre, 20 years ago, I was taught that Detour was one of the first noirs. There's many more examples...
@@Kidraver555 The Big Heat is a noir and has no PI and a cop the central character. This has some similarities to it. In the Big Heat the police department is corrupt. Here it is incompetent. I agree there are a lot of movies on YT described as noir and aren't, but this one strikes me as a prime example.
Lom was visited by inspector Clouseau while trying to show he should be released from a mental hospital...of course the Pink Panther ruins that concept...Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom...priceless comedy!
YES ! That was a great mid-60s British TV drama ! I watched a handful of episodes years ago here at UA-cam. Since then they've been removed due to copyright issues. A wonderfully well written & well acted series. Herbert Lom was especially good as the psychiatrist (Dr Roger Corder), who treated a new patient each week.
@@jubalcalif9100 Yes, it was great. Every month or two I do a search to see if somebody posted a few episodes I could watch before they're deleted. So far... no luck.
@@jubalcalif9100 That's what I thought this was, with Herbert Lom, so I'm disappointed. Will still watch there due to good write-ups in the comments section. I also watched the series on You Tube and hoped it might have been uploaded again.
Merrill shouldn't have to keep apologizing to his wife for the career he's chosen. She could be more supportive instead of being a wet blanket. This was an interesting film; Toomey and Miss Sterling especially stand out among the competent cast. Thanks for posting!
I see co-actors who went on to be Major Stars . This movie is hitting all the bells & whistles . And please don't get upset with my comments , I'm just having some fun . 😊😊😊
A little background: Toomey was 3-1/2 years younger than my dad. They were both children in Pittsburgh. Dad told me that, as a boy, Toomey kept to himself a lot.
I'm a Jan Sterling fan. Loved her in ACE IN THE HOLE (aka THE BIG CARNIVAL). In my 20th Century-Fox days, the closest I got to Ms. Sterling was a chance discovery of her dressing room outside Stage 10. Someone had scrawled her name on a strip of masking tape on a 12-foot trailer.
An aspiring young beautiful woman finally gets a part in a movie. She calls her parents: " Hey, Mom & Dad, I'm finally gonna be in a Hollywood movie...hooray !! It's just a short scene. I play a dead girl. All my hard work is paying off..!!"
Guess who at 19:52? A young Chuck as an extra! Notice how his shoes skate on the pavement? Hobnails, which guys used to stick in their shoes. Young guys used to get in trouble for wearing hobnail shoes to school and wrecking the linoleum. Lots of other young actors who would make it big in later years, including the guy who played the gorilla in Planet of the Apes.
When you mentioned a cast member who later appeared in "Planet of the Apes", I suppose you mean Claude Akins. He sure played a lot of nogoodniks over the years. This nifty noir overflows with familair faces !
Gary Merrill made a convincing Colonel in charge of WW2 counter espionage in the 1951 German language movie "enschieden bevor morgengrau " starring Oscar Werner.
@@None-zc5vg entire movie is interlaced with English and then German speaking with a few Mexican exclamations like entiendo y hasta luego muchachos...still very easy to understand the entire plot!
29:23, 41:59, 46:49, 49:35 ~ Stunningly beautiful and dripping with sexuality and always gave brilliant performances. Jan Sterling was hands down my favorite blondie from the 50s.
First time i ever saw Gary Merrill was in the very first episode of The Time Tunnel [tv show, 1966-67] playing a senator, bent on shutting the project down. He raised his voice in a scene, and was certainly not "wooden." Since then I have scene many of his films. I suspect the films were wooden and not the actor after watching this performance. As good as anything Humphrey Bogart would have done in the same film/script.
Merrill's Revenge: A great noir-crime thriller. Such a great cast of character actors. Regis Toomey (Guys & Dolls), Emile Meyer (countless westerns), James Westerfield (on the Waterfront, Hang 'em High), Chubby Johnson, Chuck Conners (The Rifleman), Claude Akins. But it doesn't take a genius to recognize Merrill's role is almost a mirror image of his wonderful performance in 12 O'Clock High where he got kicked out of his job, replaced by Gregory Peck. In Human Jungle he replaces Westerfield. Leading up to Merrill's promotion and in the immediate aftermath dialogue is almost identical to 12 O'Clock High. The film could be a case study in personality types and leadership styles.
NOIRE rocks not sucks! (And thanks aplenty to our French amis et frères!) ' Did not know your channel even existed! It is impossible that I should ever NOT subscribe, and so now have! Merci beaucoup.
"We disagree"- Black people. "We agree" - the mafia. "We disagree"- women wanting reproductive healthcare. "We agree"- Catholic church officials that are pedophiles. "We disagree"- victims of American LEO's abuse including murder "We agree"- corrupt white collar criminals including politicians ect. ect. ect.
Okay..browsing for this. I may be lame..but is the police chief..the munsters grandpa..or father-in-law of Herman Munster? I feel really like he is..great flic for my mood this morning..seems like i will have to look this question up! Noir to me..if that is a debate& very entertaining dialogue.TY for uploading this.
No. Grandpa Munster was played by veteran comedic actor Al Lewis. The chief in this 1954 noir was played by Emile Meyer, who played some notable bad guys. For instance, he played the chief villian (the greedy rancher Rufus Stryker) in the classic 1953 Western "Shane" and later played corrupt cop Lt. Harry Kello in 1957's "Sweet Smell of Success".
A "cops and thugs" scenario that is both predictable and convoluted, very talkative, with a rather disappointing chase ending. But there's a good local painting and an interesting character study, served up by an excellent cast. Gary Merril, rather dull for such an energetic character (my apology to his fans), the beautiful Paula Raymond, Régis Toomey, as discreet as fair, Lamont Johnson (Lannigan), a happy discovery for me, and especially Chuck Connors impressive, dazzling even here, without forgetting Jane Sterling always so seductive and convincing... Thanks for the discovery
I've always been lukewarm on Gary Merrill myself, and this movie didn't change my mind. I did enjoy the interesting twist to the typical noir, which is usually focused on the criminal's viewpoint and angst. Here we have the angsty precinct captain who has a bit of a castrating woman for a wife.
He was married to Lucile ball? I guess he was a truly good guy. A lot of guest appearances on game shows. They knew how to enjoy life more after the second world war.
Thank you for a fine police movie. I must say, though, that the police captain got off lightly. Bullying tactics cost lives and allienate the public. He was an egomaniac.
👍True, the details and sound design were not on the Director's mind here(probably a tight budget and shooting schedule). But remember, this is fiction and in order for make believe to work, you have to be willing to suspend reality for the hour and a half, erso. 😀
Of the many vintage films that I've watched, I've never heard the script use the term "fags." That really surprised me. I guess in 1954 it was OK with the Hays Code, (1930-1967). Interestingly, it wasn't included with the subtitles/close captions turned on. 37:50
I assumed he was saying "vags" for vagabonds. That makes more sense to me in context. This is a hays code movie, so, as I understand it, just as they wouldn't have cursed, they wouldn't have used slurs either.
Yes ! And dig that crew cut ! He's also a bad guy in the classic 1958 Western "The Big Country". By the time TV's "The Rifleman" came around, he was a good guy.
If you know anything about Los Angeles (or any other big city post World War Two and the cynicism that ran through society) then, you will understand the context of the theme. What makes this gem above par is the "B" cast who perform an "A+" job. Other commenters have nailed the essentials so all I will add is my pet theory of what ended film noir....it was cigarettes!
Fair movie when matched up against the genre of the time. Where was the investigation, the ballistics match up with regard to the policeman who said he shot "high". Seems likely to have been someone in the getaway car. This was after the new cop made a big deal about investigating! The script continued to disappointing from that point forward. The ending was a poor wrap up. The endings on these older 30's - 50's are consistently short and lacking. This one was particularly weak.
Oh my gosh what a awesome movie Need these tactics more & more across America at least in Republican cities Police are respectful & probably use ...these tectics need to be in Democratic cities. Great acting ..,& lingo.......🇺🇸
Danforth (Gary Merrill) is assigned to take over the police department in a section of a large city saddled with juvenile delinquency, petty crimes, ...
Chuck Connors! He was my Dad's roommate at Villanova University. Chuck was originally a baseball allstar who got a scholarship to become a professional baseball player. However he was discovered as an actor for his size and good looks. He went for it.
My Dad was also an all-star football player who got his scholarship for sports. Son of Irish immigrants from Philadelphia.
How awesome!!!
What’s his name ?
Philadelphia here..
Cool story.Also played pro basketball for the Celtics.my grandfather was in the same company in the Marines as lee marvin.Small world.
He also played basketball for the Celtics
Many great people came from Philadelphia.
It's cold and rainy in Southern California and I am home watching a B&W Film. Thank You so much!
@Jamie Nova - To my mind, you're having the perfect day 📽🎬❤.
That"s all i Watch....Tell"s how it was,and how it should have stayed.
Sounds like a great way to spend a day....rain or shine ! Give me a good ol' B&W anytime !
@@jubalcalif9100 Tubi and Freevee have alot...Bogart/B.Davis/E.G.Robinson/J.Garfield...Ida..Etc.
@@abef.9085 - freevee also has all 5 seasons of Rockford Files and Barney Miller. Win/Win!!
Gary Merrill was ALWAYS underestimated as a versatile actor. Critics claimed his performances were wooden, but they failed to appreciate his expressive face and voice. This was one of his best performances, and one I never saw before. Jan Sterling came from a well to do family, but played the round heel tramp perfectly. Regis Toomey was his usual professional self and even the unknowns like Joe Turkel and the rest were in top form. Thanks for digging this one up. It was a winner.
I totally agree with your comment about Mr Merrill. Am looking forward to watching this mid-50s crime drama. Noir is my favorite genre & this looks like it's right up my alley !
I too am a fan of Jan Sterling.
Restrained acting style( in most of his movies) less is more
Gary Merrill's versatility as an actor was often overlooked by critics who failed to appreciate his expressive face and voice. However, this film showcased one of his best performances. Jan Sterling played the role of a tramp convincingly and Regis Toomey was his usual professional self. Even the lesser-known actors like Joe Turkel were in top form. Overall, it was a great film.
I so Agree, Bucky Maxwell👍👍
Love these black and white noirs and no stinkin commercials!!!what would these old timers be without regis! thanx keepem comin👍👍👍
I know ! I'd rather watch a good B&W crime/noir/mystery flick from yesteryear than most of the stuff being produced today !
Very good film, excellent performances Thanks for posting!
Could not agree more !
I watched this one twice within a week. Surprisingly good. I have new respect for Gary Merrill in this film. He is really good. Well done in every way.
An obscure gem of a film. Thanks for posting this.
I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !
Many people leaving Comments here are obsessed with defining this film as 'noir' or as not 'noir'. *I'd suggest that we just relax and watch the film rather than spending our time categorizing everything in sight.
It really takes no time at all.
Man watches with categories. Man guides his life w/categories, whether he knows it or not. He needs categories to live. Good categories. Life should guide the categories.
Atlas Shrugged
@@TeaParty1776 Heavy, dude.
@@steveweinstein3222 Heavy is a good category.
@@steveweinstein3222 "categorizing everything in sight." takes time.
"Rustle up some stenographers and get it all down while it's still hot!"
I've watched a lot of film noir and this one is definitely both obscure and well made. Thanks!
Good enough movie, but
definitely not film noir! It's a police procedural.
Ditto !
Gary Merrill was a great and very believable actor whether playing the lead role or as a supporting actor. Enjoyed his performance in 12 o'clock high with Gregory Peck very much. Had never seen this one before, so watching him as the lead was a nice treat! Thanks for posting, you just got another subscriber.
I can still hear Gregory saying 'Keith'.
Yes he was believable with a kinda layed back attitude.
A story with a difference great cast well acted out thank yOU
So true ! I'm watching it right now. Greatly enjoying it so far. Never heard of it til it was recommended to me by YT.
Now thats a good detective story. thanks! Merrill, Connors, Aiken and several other recognized actors great casting.
I think Sterling, Connors and Aiken were the notables for this noir with a twist.
This was a very good movie. Thank you for the upload.
20 minutes in and it feels like 12 oclock high with Merrill playing the role of Gregory Peck. Good stuff and thanks for sharing this.
I heartily concur !
Thx for upload, great flick. Familiar classic actors.
Nifty noir indeed. I think Eddie Muller should show it on his TCM "Noir Alley" program.
Great cast with a good pace. Love Jan Sterling always believeable. Gary Merrill was excellent. 👍👍👍👍
Agree 100 per cent ! Big fan of Gary Merrill and Jan Sterling myself !
Just saying the names, Jan Sterling or Mamie Van Doren gets my temperature rising. 🌡️😀😍
@@garylampkin4288 Vida Ann Borg
Jan Sterling was an amazing actress. Easy on the eyes, too. Loved her in a supporting role in Caged, starring the great Eleanor Parker, as an inmate. Jan was a fine film noir presence.
Thank you very much…how on earth did I ever not know of this movie? You have a new subscriber…me. I love Jan Sterling
Great movie. Thanks
Thanks for the tour of the Pabst Blue Ribbon factory. There might be some leaks there after the gunshots.
Excellent movie absolutely great actors
Emile Meyer is the tough cop in this one. In SHANE (1953), his Riker character was the theme of the entire picture, dominating the dialog, and the fccus of the conflict. His acting was powerful and gave us an indelible screen heavy. But Hats Off To Hollywood, he got 6th or 7th billing, among those with their names in the small print. Here, he really shines.
He's so great in Sweet Smell of Success too. I know him mostly from that. Such a thrill to see him here.
@@noirfan1943"I call him the boy with the ice cream face"!
How right you are ! Could not agree more !
@@p.stephens9305 Ha ! I remember that line from "Sweet Smell of Success" ! Emile's corrupt cop Lt. Kello was describing Tony Curtis' sleazy publicity agent character.
@@noirfan1943 'c'mere Sidney, I want to chastise you'
Regis Toomey was a real find for me. I watched "Other Men's Women" and wanted to see more of him. I love to see him by surprise. Throw in Jan Sterling and I'll watch all night. They both appear in "The High and the Mighty" (1954) a film that started my facination for Jan Sterling. The intro for that movie states that it was "Introducing Jan Sterling" even though I'm sure I've seen her in earlier productions including this one, also 1954 and "Ace in the Hole" (1951). Good actors.
Wow Claude Akins was so young here!
And Chuck Connors too !
Great cast...
Indeed ! A wonderfully talented cast.
I have not seen this before but love the excellent directing.
I'm currently watching it & it's my first time too. Enjoying it very much. Good cast & script.
This Film had my adrenaline pumping...........Well done...........I enjoyed this Film.....................Patrick.
Thanks for posting! I'll definitely watch this film noir tonight. ♥️♥️♥️
Please keep it up, Noir Fan; this is a neglected and important noir.
Not sure this really is 'noir' more 'crime/drama' there is no private detective and the lead role is a copper, what is your definition of noir in terms of plot and character elements, noir is an over used term these days.
@@Kidraver555 Wiki says noir is a "stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations." I also think great character actor performances make noir. A private detective is definitely not required, imho. Gun Crazy is definitely a noir. When I first fell in love with the genre, 20 years ago, I was taught that Detour was one of the first noirs. There's many more examples...
@@Kidraver555 The Big Heat is a noir and has no PI and a cop the central character. This has some similarities to it. In the Big Heat the police department is corrupt. Here it is incompetent. I agree there are a lot of movies on YT described as noir and aren't, but this one strikes me as a prime example.
@@noirfan1943 "The Blue Dahlia" is my favorite... no PI in sight.
Film noir has many different definitions. Not necessary to pigeon hole to enjoy a film.
Great ill be checking here for more like this.
I love this movie , I'm gonna save it and watch it a buncha times before I cut it loose . 😊😊😊
There was a British TV series back in the early 60's called The Human Jungle. It starred Herbert Lom as a psychiatrist.
Lom was visited by inspector Clouseau while trying to show he should be released from a mental hospital...of course the Pink Panther ruins that concept...Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom...priceless comedy!
YES ! That was a great mid-60s British TV drama ! I watched a handful of episodes years ago here at UA-cam. Since then they've been removed due to copyright issues. A wonderfully well written & well acted series. Herbert Lom was especially good as the psychiatrist (Dr Roger Corder), who treated a new patient each week.
@@jubalcalif9100 Yes, it was great. Every month or two I do a search to see if somebody posted a few episodes I could watch before they're deleted. So far... no luck.
@@jubalcalif9100 That's what I thought this was, with Herbert Lom, so I'm disappointed. Will still watch there due to good write-ups in the comments section. I also watched the series on You Tube and hoped it might have been uploaded again.
Great movie. Looking forward to your next upload.
Merrill shouldn't have to keep apologizing to his wife for the career he's chosen. She could be more supportive instead of being a wet blanket.
This was an interesting film; Toomey and Miss Sterling especially stand out among the competent cast. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for a perceptive analysis of this nifty noir. I had never even heard of it til it was recommended to me here on UA-cam.
Jubal Calif, l guess not learning how to think for yourself has its positives...
Great movie ! Thanks. Dave
Thanks for posting!
That's the way I fell. It's a rare gem.
Top shelf noir!...
Loved the brewery scene..
I guess product placement is nothing new.
Product placement was a staple going back centuries. There was a good example in Anne of Green Gables.
I see co-actors who went on to be Major Stars . This movie is hitting all the bells & whistles . And please don't get upset with my comments , I'm just having some fun . 😊😊😊
34:43 "Leonard Ustick" (Florenz Ames), I seem to recall hearing his voice in animation from the 60's. Maybe "Tooter Turtle" ? Thanks for the post !
I looked him up at imdb. He passed away in 1958 at age 75. So he couldn't have done any 1960s voice over work.
A little background: Toomey was 3-1/2 years younger than my dad. They were both children in Pittsburgh. Dad told me that, as a boy, Toomey kept to himself a lot.
Thanks for sharing!
Didn't know Gary Merill could act so well. And Jan Serling good as usual.
I'm a Jan Sterling fan. Loved her in ACE IN THE HOLE (aka THE BIG CARNIVAL). In my 20th Century-Fox days, the closest I got to Ms. Sterling was a chance discovery of her dressing room outside Stage 10. Someone had scrawled her name on a strip of masking tape on a 12-foot trailer.
@@rogersmith4834 I always liked the late great Jan Sterling. Wonderful actress.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Movie great lines like when the captain 0f police says its a war in crime yet people love soldiers yet hate Cops
Great movie, thru and thru.
I’ve fallen in love with golden-age cinema thanks to retroflix
An aspiring young beautiful woman finally gets a part in a movie. She calls her parents: " Hey, Mom & Dad, I'm finally gonna be in a Hollywood movie...hooray !! It's just a short scene. I play a dead girl. All my hard work is paying off..!!"
😂
The Rifleman and Cheyenne both in one movie
Cheyenne
Cheyenne
Guess who at 19:52? A young Chuck as an extra! Notice how his shoes skate on the pavement? Hobnails, which guys used to stick in their shoes. Young guys used to get in trouble for wearing hobnail shoes to school and wrecking the linoleum. Lots of other young actors who would make it big in later years, including the guy who played the gorilla in Planet of the Apes.
When you mentioned a cast member who later appeared in "Planet of the Apes", I suppose you mean Claude Akins. He sure played a lot of nogoodniks over the years. This nifty noir overflows with familair faces !
Gary Merrill made a convincing Colonel in charge of WW2 counter espionage in the 1951 German language movie "enschieden bevor morgengrau " starring Oscar Werner.
Sounds wunderbar ! Would like to see that one ! Always been a big Gary Merrill and Oskar Werner fan.
It was also called "Decision Before Dawn"
@@None-zc5vg entire movie is interlaced with English and then German speaking with a few Mexican exclamations like entiendo y hasta luego muchachos...still very easy to understand the entire plot!
Merrill was also impressive in All About Eve, as Bette Davis' director/husband.
Oh it’s definitely noir. Thanks for sharing it.
29:23, 41:59, 46:49, 49:35 ~ Stunningly beautiful and dripping with sexuality and always gave brilliant performances. Jan Sterling was hands down my favorite blondie from the 50s.
Love Merrel and Bette Davis in All About Eve
Indubitably ! A true classic. Well written and well cast. Bette and Gary fell in love while making the movie and subsequently got married.
One of Gary Merrill's best career moves... marrying the leading lady 😀
@@garylampkin4288 He divorced her.
Good film. Chuck Conner quite young
And Claude Akins too !
@@jubalcalif9100 👍
chuck conners , claude aikens,,great cast,,needed a better ending imho, cheers for sharing ,
robert in italy
🔵🎼BAD BOYS BAD BOYS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO? WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU!🎵🔴
They should learn not to do the crime if they don't wanna do the time....
First time i ever saw Gary Merrill was in the very first episode of The Time Tunnel [tv show, 1966-67] playing a senator, bent on shutting the project down. He raised his voice in a scene, and was certainly not "wooden." Since then I have scene many of his films. I suspect the films were wooden and not the actor after watching this performance. As good as anything Humphrey Bogart would have done in the same film/script.
Low production values and compulsively watchable - unbeatable combination.
I heartily concur !
awesome!
thanks
Hey did pabst have a factory near ebbitts field in Brooklyn???
Merrill's Revenge: A great noir-crime thriller. Such a great cast of character actors. Regis Toomey (Guys & Dolls), Emile Meyer (countless westerns), James Westerfield (on the Waterfront, Hang 'em High), Chubby Johnson, Chuck Conners (The Rifleman), Claude Akins. But it doesn't take a genius to recognize Merrill's role is almost a mirror image of his wonderful performance in 12 O'Clock High where he got kicked out of his job, replaced by Gregory Peck. In Human Jungle he replaces Westerfield. Leading up to Merrill's promotion and in the immediate aftermath dialogue is almost identical to 12 O'Clock High. The film could be a case study in personality types and leadership styles.
38-12 Did you spot a very young Rifleman Chuck Connors playing a gangster in criminal investigation.
I did ! Crew cut and all !
tall too !! 6,6 wow ! he lives on !
Wasn't big Chick in a tv series Arrest and Trial with,I think,Ben Gazara?
@@keithharvey7230 He was also the star of "Branded" and "Cowboy In Africa."
@@walte153 He was Jason Cord.
NOIRE rocks not sucks!
(And thanks aplenty to our French amis et frères!)
' Did not know your channel even existed!
It is impossible that I should ever NOT subscribe,
and so now have!
Merci beaucoup.
Merrill bounced into Frank savage
Love it...
@3:20 "When are these floozies gonna learn?"
@19:00 Chuck Conners!
Extremely difficult at times being a Police Officer, then and now
Chuck Connor as the Mexican Suarez...lol
Jack lord played a Mexican too
I can't see Irish playing mexican🤣
@@kathleenking47 Or, vice versa 😳
Awesome ty!
The 50's, greatest decade ever.
"We disagree"- Black people.
"We agree" - the mafia.
"We disagree"- women wanting reproductive healthcare.
"We agree"- Catholic church officials that are pedophiles.
"We disagree"- victims of American LEO's abuse including murder
"We agree"- corrupt white collar criminals including politicians
ect. ect. ect.
You mean the 1750´s, right?
Chuck Connor...1:00
And not carrying his trusty rifle....
A decent early role for the Rifleman 👍
Was the bar man in tvs Voyage to the bottom of the sea?
Ah an early film with Claude Akins. 😀😀😀
Okay..browsing for this. I may be lame..but is the police chief..the munsters grandpa..or father-in-law of Herman Munster? I feel really like he is..great flic for my mood this morning..seems like i will have to look this question up! Noir to me..if that is a debate& very entertaining dialogue.TY for uploading this.
Nope.
No. Grandpa Munster was played by veteran comedic actor Al Lewis. The chief in this 1954 noir was played by Emile Meyer, who played some notable bad guys. For instance, he played the chief villian (the greedy rancher Rufus Stryker) in the classic 1953 Western "Shane" and later played corrupt cop Lt. Harry Kello in 1957's "Sweet Smell of Success".
When I heard his voice I thought for a moment that he was Al Lewis. Then realized he was much too tall.
@@jubalcalif9100 priest in Paths of glory.
Oh my gosh ' It Ain't Gonna Be You " ....😘🤣haha
Beautiful outfits She wears
A "cops and thugs" scenario that is both predictable and convoluted, very talkative, with a rather disappointing chase ending.
But there's a good local painting and an interesting character study, served up by an excellent cast. Gary Merril, rather dull for such an energetic character (my apology to his fans), the beautiful Paula Raymond, Régis Toomey, as discreet as fair, Lamont Johnson (Lannigan), a happy discovery for me, and especially Chuck Connors impressive, dazzling even here, without forgetting Jane Sterling always so seductive and convincing...
Thanks for the discovery
I've always been lukewarm on Gary Merrill myself, and this movie didn't change my mind. I did enjoy the interesting twist to the typical noir, which is usually focused on the criminal's viewpoint and angst. Here we have the angsty precinct captain who has a bit of a castrating woman for a wife.
Absorbing, fast-paced crime film.
can someone explain me who drop atomic boom on malay jenjarom
He was married to Lucile ball? I guess he was a truly good guy. A lot of guest appearances on game shows. They knew how to enjoy life more after the second world war.
If you mean Gary Merrill... he was married to Bette Davis for a while. Lucille Ball was married to comedian Gary Morton.
WISH THE BREWERY SCENE WAS IN COLOR.
There's a reason why it's called film NOIR.
Right so it to could be lame who watches noir and begs for color scenes? Oh, I know!! A MORON. FFRIGGIN COMMONERS...
@@kennyaldrich9542 THANK YOU! I so prefer B&W flicks. The sharpness can't be matched by color.
Back when men were men, dames were dames and Nashes were police cars.
Thank you for a fine police movie. I must say, though, that the police captain got off lightly. Bullying tactics cost lives and allienate the public. He was an egomaniac.
Blue Ribbon product placement.
Is the police chief a younger Uncle Fester...or Grandpa Munster...I always get those two confused?
I never trusted Lucas McCain when he made his 'tough face' by squinting- I always knew he was a bad guy in disguise-lol. Classic Film Noir-TY.
Chuck Connors from Branded ..
good
Merrill fired about 6 shots in the brewery and managed not to hit any pipes or machinery. 😁
👍True, the details and sound design were not on the Director's mind here(probably a tight budget and shooting schedule). But remember, this is fiction and in order for make believe to work, you have to be willing to suspend reality for the hour and a half, erso. 😀
Of the many vintage films that I've watched, I've never heard the script use the term "fags." That really surprised me. I guess in 1954 it was OK with the Hays Code, (1930-1967). Interestingly, it wasn't included with the subtitles/close captions turned on. 37:50
I assumed he was saying "vags" for vagabonds. That makes more sense to me in context. This is a hays code movie, so, as I understand it, just as they wouldn't have cursed, they wouldn't have used slurs either.
Just me, or is Gary Merrill channeling Jack Webb?
No synopsis in the title heading.
A young Chuck Connors as the murderer
Yes ! And dig that crew cut ! He's also a bad guy in the classic 1958 Western "The Big Country". By the time TV's "The Rifleman" came around, he was a good guy.
*Thanks for spoiling this for others James*
@@jubalcalif9100 Branded
If you know anything about Los Angeles (or any other big city post World War Two and the cynicism that ran through society) then, you will understand the context of the theme. What makes this gem above par is the "B" cast who perform an "A+" job. Other commenters have nailed the essentials so all I will add is my pet theory of what ended film noir....it was cigarettes!
That is an amazing theory. Wow. Like, they just all died of cancer? This is thought provoking.
👍👍👍👍
It came from within
Fair movie when matched up against the genre of the time. Where was the investigation, the ballistics match up with regard to the policeman who said he shot "high". Seems likely to have been someone in the getaway car. This was after the new cop made a big deal about investigating! The script continued to disappointing from that point forward. The ending was a poor wrap up. The endings on these older 30's - 50's are consistently short and lacking. This one was particularly weak.
6’6” Chuck Conners can’t catch a girl, in heels, for 2 1/2 blocks +?
Wellll…..ok, that’s believable.
Well... he was also only an athlete in 2 professional sports 😁
Just because you're tall, it doesn't necessarily equate to speed and agility. 😳 He was very good with a rifle, though.
@@howlinhonky ....and ambidextrous.
@@garylampkin4288 yeah, A guy on my softball team was 6-2. Legs as long as a giraffe. Doubt he could catch a cold.
Oh my gosh what a awesome movie
Need these tactics more & more across America at least in Republican cities Police are respectful & probably use ...these tectics need to be in Democratic cities.
Great acting ..,& lingo.......🇺🇸
Fifties black and white .classic crime flim .🎉
Or don't read the comments ?
Danforth (Gary Merrill) is assigned to take over the police department in a section of a large city saddled with juvenile delinquency, petty crimes, ...