Panic in the Streets (1950)

Director:

Elia Kazan

Writers:

Richard Murphy (screenplay)
Daniel Fuchs (adaptation)

Release Date:

12 June 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Thriller

Tagline:

THE SCREEN'S GREATEST EXCITEMENT OF THE YEAR! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

A doctor and a policeman in New Orleans have only 48 hours to locate a killer infected with pneumonic plague.

Plot Keywords:

Plague | Doctor | Illegal Immigrant | Epidemic | Autopsy

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Richard Widmark	...	Lt. Cmdr. Clinton 'Clint' Reed M.D.
Paul Douglas	...	Capt. Tom Warren
Barbara Bel Geddes	...	Nancy Reed
Jack Palance	...	Blackie (as Walter Jack Palance)
Zero Mostel	...	Raymond Fitch
Dan Riss	...	Neff - Newspaper Reporter
Tommy Cook	...	Vince Poldi - Younger Brother

Also Known As:

Outbreak (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin | Greek

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Argentina:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #14313)

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Elia Kazan]mortuary assistant.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Blackie and Fitch slide down a pile of coffee bags there is a crew member reclined on the pile they climb over on their way to escape

Quotes:

Nancy Reed: If there's a plague here, you're the most important guy in this town.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Temperatures Rising: Panic in the Sheets (#1.20)" (1973)

Soundtrack:

Fine and Mellow

Decent thriller

This film is actually pertinent even today given the threat of bio-terrorism, and the threats of superbugs, West Nile Virus, and SARS. As a thriller, the tension is fairly intense. Richard Widmark and Paul Douglas are more than serviceable in their roles. The domestic scenes between Widmark and his wife provide a nice interlude to the main plot. The actor in this film who most left his mark is Jack Palance. His sharply defined features and seemingly easygoing exterior always wither way to reveal the avaricious and cruel man beneath the surface. The chase scene through the packing plant is impressive even today. Recommended, 7/10.