Detective Story (1951)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Sidney Kingsley (play)
Robert Wyler (writer)

Release Date:

November 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

Tagline:

The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!

Plot:

On one day in the 21st Precinct squad room, assorted characters form a backdrop for the troubles of hard-nosed Detective Jim McLeod.

Plot Keywords:

Illegitimate Pregnancy | Husband Wife Relationship | Medical Malpractice | Stillborn Child | Illegitimate Child

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Kirk Douglas	...	Det. James 'Jim' McLeod
Eleanor Parker	...	Mary McLeod
William Bendix	...	Det. Lou Brody
Cathy O'Donnell	...	Susan Carmichael
George Macready	...	Karl Schneider
Horace McMahon	...	Lt. Monaghan
Gladys George	...	Miss Hatch
Joseph Wiseman	...	Charley Gennini
Lee Grant	...	Shoplifter
Gerald Mohr	...	Tami Giacoppetti
Frank Faylen	...	Det. Gallagher
Craig Hill	...	Arthur Kindred
Michael Strong	...	Lewis Abbott
Luis Van Rooten	...	Joe Feinson
Bert Freed	...	Det. Dakis

Also Known As:

The Detective Story (Australia) (TV title)

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2005) | UK:X (original rating) | Norway:16 (1952) | USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #15300)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Film debut of Lee Grant.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In some of the close-up shots of McLeod and Schneider in the back of the paddy wagon, McLeod's shadow can be faintly seen on the rear-projection screen showing the street behind them. (Other shadows can also be seen.)

Quotes:

Detective James McLeod: You shouldn't drink so much. It melts the lining of your brain.

Movie Connections:

References The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

Detective McLeod's Most Agonizing Day On The Job

A normal day inside the 21st precinct, is rather ordinary, in police station terms of course. However, on this particular day, a chain of events would change the lives of a select few individuals, some for the best, and others, for the worst.

Detective McLeod, (Kirk Douglas) a loving husband, with a harsh professional reputation. A Merciless, hard-nosed poignant detective, showing no leniency towards criminals, naming himself, the judge and jury. McLeod has a personal vendetta against a publicized abortion doctor, not knowing, his repulsion towards Doctor Schneider goes much deeper than he could have ever imagined. The abortionist, nicknamed, "The Butcher" just seems to be getting rid of all the evidence against him, piece by piece. McLeod, would soon discover his loving wife, in a way, is connected to "The Butcher", setting off a messy harrowing set of occurrences.

Aside from their perfect marriage, Jim's wife, Mary, has been living with a veiled dark secret, that would crush her husband. Her revelation destroys Jim, both physically and emotionally, the once rough-edged cop...now a wreck. Can their dying love towards one another keep their now broken marriage together, or has Mary's unearthing confession destroyed any chance of reconciliation? Detective Story, features a delightful cast. Detective Brody, (William Bendix) the empathetic detective, Arthur, the remorseful embezzler, and Lee Grant, the frightened intimidated shoplifter. William Wyler, delivers another unforgettable climax.