Where the Sidewalk Ends
Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends

1950Movie95 minEnglish

A police detective's violent nature keeps him from being a good cop.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Director: Otto PremingerGenres: Film Noir, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A troubled and ruthless NYPD detective, Morgan Taylor, becomes obsessed with a cab driver named Tommy Scalise, whom he believes is a gangster. Taylor's investigation leads him into a dangerous spiral of obsession, violence, and moral ambiguity. His life becomes increasingly complicated when he becomes involved with the beautiful showgirl, Dixon, who is connected to the underworld.

Critical Reception

Where the Sidewalk Ends was met with mixed to positive reviews upon its release. While some critics praised Otto Preminger's distinctive directorial style and the film's dark, brooding atmosphere, others found the plot somewhat convoluted and the protagonist's actions morally questionable. It has since gained recognition as a notable example of film noir, appreciated for its stylistic elements and Gene Tierney's performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its strong visual style and tense atmosphere characteristic of film noir.
  • Dana Andrews' portrayal of a tormented and morally compromised detective was a focal point for many reviews.
  • Gene Tierney's performance as the femme fatale received particular attention.

Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely documented, but general consensus often points to its status as a classic noir film with compelling performances.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Story (Victor Trivas).

Fun Fact

The film's original script was significantly altered during production, with director Otto Preminger making substantial changes to align with his vision and the then-prevailing Production Code, particularly concerning the protagonist's culpability.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Dixon" (Dana Andrews) is an hard-nosed cop who likes to play by his own rules. Needless to say that puts him at odds with his superiors and ultimately leads to his demotion just as his contemporary "Thomas" (Karl Malden) is made lieutenant...
John Chard

John Chard

Your job is to detect criminals, not to punish them. American city film noir directed by Otto Preminger with the screenplay written by Ben Hecht. The adaptation is from the novel "Night Cry" written by William L. Stuart and Joseph LaShe...