If you ever think that your neighbor hasn't any problems like yours you don't know them very well. The title of Willard Motley's Novel and later Feature Film Starring Humphrey Bogart and a young John Derek, KNOCK ON ANY DOOR (Santana Pictures/Columbia, 1949), suggests the remedy to such isolated living. Literally, do just that; knock on his door, introduce yourself and get to know him.
The subject received on screen treatment in the top Police Drama of its day on "NAKED CITY: Golden Lads and Girls", the last episode for the program in the 1962-63 season. The whole story is tied together by the involvement of the NYPD; more specifically by the involvement, intervention and decisive action taken by Detective Adam Flint (Paul Burke).
OUR STORY
Responding to a Police Radio All-Call of a "Battery in Progress", Detectives Arcaro and Flint find they are the first Police on the scene. Gaining entry to the Luxury Apartment, they observe the Husband, Television Producer Gordon Lanning (Robert Webber) punching, shoving, grabbing and otherwise doing such acts, utterances and gestures as to create an unwholesome environment.
Because the Wife, Laura Lanning (Elizabeth Allen) was hesitant in signing a criminal complaint against the mean, battering bastard and that the Battery was committed in the presence of a Police Officer; the Arresting Officers can sign the complaint, making them the complainants.
The incident then led to New York's Court of Domestic Relations and to the Courtroom of Preliminary Hearings. It is in this sort of Pre-Trial trial that any plea-bargaining and/or medical or psychological evaluations can be implemented. In a conversation with Detective Adam Flint, who is appearing in Court as the Arresting/Complainant to the Criminal Charges, the Judge (Tom Bosley) explained how he is able to use the leverage of having serious consequences of a full criminal trial as a tool in rehabilitation and reconciliation.
Judge Tom further states how the misuse of alcohol is at the roots of the majority of his charges in this judicial branch.
The Judge orders psychological profiling on both Laura and Gordon Lanning and another couple, Pearl and Louis Wystemski (Laura Connolly & Mike Kellin). The Wystemskis represent some of those New Yorkers of the Blue Collar (okay, Proletariat for you "Libs") with far less means.
The two couples eventually come to be somewhat close, mainly do to the interaction of the two women; as Gordon is resistant to remaining in a weekly group session, particularly because it has Truck Drivers, Taxi Drivers, Laborers and the like. He requests and receives permission to pay for the services of a private Shrink and private Alcoholic treatment.
The situation had become complicated for the Lannings because their daughter, Sally, had been displaying symptoms of mental disturbance; all due to the on-going violent, alcoholic relationship of Mom & Dad.
Meanwhile, Louis Wystemski loses his Laborer Assistant job with the Paving Contractor and goes on an alcoholic-fueled, violence-strewn rampage. He had to be arrested and taken to the Local Police Precinct where the Lannings both respond to Pearl Wystemski's frantic telephone call for help. It is then and there that the TV Big Shot realizes that he should not be feeling so superior to the now out-of-work Lou Wystemski. Cheerfully and of his own volition, Gordon Lanning embraces the less fortunate neighbor and attempts to help him explain; as he realizes that Mr. Wystemski is both less articulate as he is less able monetarily. And yet, their situation makes them far more alike than they would have thought before.
AS for there being any moral to the story; we think it might go something like this. "There are many reasons for things happening; but there are absolutely no Excuses!"
And let's not close yet without making a few observations about this episode, this "Golden Lads and Girls." As much of a straight forward Police Drama that this is, the creative team used some mighty neat little cinematic twists that usually get reserved for those Movie House productions. Read on, PLEASE!
Take the business of the two different abodes. We know that the flat inhabited by Lou and Pearl would tend to be more like that of Ralph & Alice Kramden than like that of Leonard Bernstein. But the creative team did not opt just for the obvious. In showing us the Luxurious Apartment with their Maid, they went down the road of good symbolism in Film. The Manhattan Home of Gordon, Laura and little Sally Lanning is not only huge and expensive looking; but is also a multi-level with the bedrooms and some other living space areas (Like drawing room, maybe.). The point is, when some visitor comes a calling, the Lannings would be literally "looking down" on them!
And "Looking Down" on Folks is one practice that this Lanning Family was forever cured of!