Movies : Crime : DVD Rip : English
Released from prison in an attempt to convince her to testify against her old beau--a notorious mobster--a tough-as-nails model endures attempts on her life, crooked cops, and the murder of her policewoman escort before finally taking the stand. Based on the play "Dead Pigeon" by Leonard Kantor, this noir effort purportedly mirrors Estes Kefauver's tactics in coercing Virginia Hill to testify in the Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel prosecution
March 19, 1955
The Screen: 'Tight Spot'; Crime Drama Bows on Bill at Palace
H. H. T.
Published: March 19, 1955
"TIGHT SPOT" is a pretty good little melodrama, the kind you keep rooting for, as generally happened when Lenard Kantor's "Dead Pigeon" appeared on Broadway a while back. Like its source, this Columbia version, co-starring Ginger Rogers, Brian Keith and Edward G. Robinson and produced by Lewis J. Rachmil, depicts the menaced protection of a woman material witness. Primarily confined to a hotel suite, like the play, and almost as verbose, the new arrival with the Palace's stage bill still shapes up as a respectable, if unstriking, entry.
At the outset, Miss Rogers is officially whisked from prison for the deportation trial of a notorious gangster and a week-end vigil by a detective, Mr. Keith, a visiting attorney. Mr. Robinson, and a matron. A hard-boiled, strident specimen, Miss Rogers soon attracts the manly detective, as the neighborhood outside crawls with hoods. Nobody, assuredly, will be surprised to see love a-borning as the hoods close in Just as unstartlingly, Miss Rogers' "third-class citizen" discloses a heart of gold and a strictly "framed" past.
Drifting toward tedium at the half-way mark, the incidents begin to take or credullity and sharp suspense, partly as a result of the acting and the nimble picturesqueness of Phil Karlson's direction. Furthermore, since one of the three guardians turns out to be a stalker, a rather pat situation becomes genuinely puzzling.
Along the way are some nice, realistic trimmings Mr. Karlson, or somebody, had the bright idea of underscoring the tension with sounds of a televised hillbilly program (glimpsed, too unfortunately). For our money, the best scene, whipped up by scenarist William Bowers, is the anything-but-tender reunion of Miss Rogers and her sister, Eve McVeagh — no competition to the two "Anastasia" stars down the street, but an ugly, blistering pip.
Indeed, Miss Rogers' self-sufficiency throughout hardly suggests anybody's former scapegoat, let alone a potential gone goose. But she tackles her role with obvious, professional relish. Mr. Keith and Mr. Robinson are altogether excellent. Lorne Greene makes a first-rate crime kingpin and Katherine Anderson is a sound, appealing matron.
If Academy awards aren't in order, neither are apologies.
TIGHT SPOT, screen play by William Bowers; based upon Lenard Kantor's play. "Dead Pigeon"; directed by Phil Karlson; produced by Lewis J. Rachmil for Columbia Pictures. At the Palace.
Sherry Conley . . . . . Ginger Rogers
Vince Striker . . . . . Brian Keith
Lloyd Hallett . . . . . Edward G. Robinson
Mrs. Willoughby . . . . . Katherine Anderson
Costain . . . . . Lorne Greene
Clara Moran . . . . . Eve McVeagh
Rickles . . . . . Allen Nourse
Fred Packer . . . . . Peter Leeds
Prison Girl . . . . . Lucy Marlowe
