For a 1950 film with a title like "Night and the City", I was really expecting more in the way of the noir genre than what the picture delivers. It has some of those elements to be sure, but the story is set in London, and the idea that it veers off into pro wrestling territory seemed a bit bizarre to me. Since it did however, I was genuinely surprised to see an old time wrestling great featured prominently in the picture, Stanislaus Zbyszko. Zbyszko was a genuine mat star in the pre-TV era and a world champion who's name was highly regarded by fans the world over. He doesn't appear that imposing in the movie, but he was seventy one at the time and could still get pretty physical when he had to, as in the wrestling scene with Mike Mazurki. Pretty cool for that reason alone.
The role of confidence man seems made to order for someone like Richard Widmark. He revives that sly Tommy Udo cackle from "Kiss of Death" in his characterization of Harry Fabian, the slick talking self-promoter who never misses a chance to hit up anyone in his vicinity for a quick loan on the way to his next big score. In his wake he leaves pretty girlfriend Mary as a bystander in his schemes, notably absent for most of the picture even though Gene Tierney is second billed right behind Widmark.
It's the unintended consequences of Harry's haphazard plan to corner the London wrestling scene that keeps this film anchored with one foot in noir territory. It seems Harry's always on the run from one desperate situation to another, and when he crosses Herbert Lom's Kristo character by manipulating the father (Zbyszko), he sets himself up for a final dangerous confrontation. Through it all, Mary remains loyal, even though she had every reason not to be.
Say, stay attentive and you'll catch that neat movie marquee that promotes "Escape Me Never" with Errol Flynn, Ida Lupino and Eleanor Parker. I'd be curious how Twentieth Century Fox managed to plug a Warner Brothers flick in one of their pictures but it was probably inadvertent. I think it's neat to catch stuff like that in old films; it makes watching them even more enjoyable.
You know, I had a thought about the casting after this was over. Mike Mazurki did a pretty effective job as the Kristo henchman and pro wrestler Strangler in the picture. Back in Stanislaus Zbyszko's heyday there was another champion grappler by the name of Ed 'Strangler' Lewis. I'm not sure if they ever wrestled each other although it would have been likely since they were contemporaries. It would have been cool to see Zbyszko against the 'real' Strangler here; I wonder if anyone thought of it.
The role of confidence man seems made to order for someone like Richard Widmark. He revives that sly Tommy Udo cackle from "Kiss of Death" in his characterization of Harry Fabian, the slick talking self-promoter who never misses a chance to hit up anyone in his vicinity for a quick loan on the way to his next big score. In his wake he leaves pretty girlfriend Mary as a bystander in his schemes, notably absent for most of the picture even though Gene Tierney is second billed right behind Widmark.
It's the unintended consequences of Harry's haphazard plan to corner the London wrestling scene that keeps this film anchored with one foot in noir territory. It seems Harry's always on the run from one desperate situation to another, and when he crosses Herbert Lom's Kristo character by manipulating the father (Zbyszko), he sets himself up for a final dangerous confrontation. Through it all, Mary remains loyal, even though she had every reason not to be.
Say, stay attentive and you'll catch that neat movie marquee that promotes "Escape Me Never" with Errol Flynn, Ida Lupino and Eleanor Parker. I'd be curious how Twentieth Century Fox managed to plug a Warner Brothers flick in one of their pictures but it was probably inadvertent. I think it's neat to catch stuff like that in old films; it makes watching them even more enjoyable.
You know, I had a thought about the casting after this was over. Mike Mazurki did a pretty effective job as the Kristo henchman and pro wrestler Strangler in the picture. Back in Stanislaus Zbyszko's heyday there was another champion grappler by the name of Ed 'Strangler' Lewis. I'm not sure if they ever wrestled each other although it would have been likely since they were contemporaries. It would have been cool to see Zbyszko against the 'real' Strangler here; I wonder if anyone thought of it.