Crime Wave (1954)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

André De Toth

Writers:

Bernard Gordon (adaptation)
John Hawkins (story)

Release Date:

6 March 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Plot:

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter.

Plot Keywords:

Gas Station | Home Invasion | Escaped Convict | Interrogation | Lapd

Cast

Sterling Hayden	...	Det. Lt. Sims
Gene Nelson	...	Steve Lacey
Phyllis Kirk	...	Ellen Lacey
Ted de Corsia	...	'Doc' Penny
Charles Bronson	...	Ben Hastings (as Charles Buchinsky)
Jay Novello	...	Dr. Otto Hessler
Nedrick Young	...	Gat Morgan
James Bell	...	Daniel O'Keefe
Dub Taylor	...	Gus Snider (as Dubb Taylor)
Gayle Kellogg	...	Detective Kelly
Mack Chandler	...	Sully

Also Known As:

The City Is Dark (UK)

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:(Banned) (1953) | USA:Approved (PCA #16297) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Although the movie was completed in 1952, it was not released until 1954.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Nedrick Young (as Gat Morgan) is first shot, he grabs his chest by the right pectoral. When he grabs his wound later, it has migrated to the lower center abdomen.

Quotes:

Ellen Lacey: But you haven't done anything! You're innocent!
Steve Lacey: Once you do a stretch, you're never clean again! You're never free! They've always got a string on you, and they tug, tug, tug! Before you know it, you're back again!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Decoy: A Map to Nowhere (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

'S Wonderful

Great little unknown film!!

I just love these type films and I had never heard of this one--thank you to the Mystery Channel. Great performances all around, and for once I liked this performance of Sterling Hayden!! Normally, I can't stand him, as he seemed to play the same character in every film I have seen him in. Gene Nelson and Phyllis Kirk were also excellent,who would have thought they could do such acting and the cinematography is really something to see--I always wonder when seeing these films, just how many of the buildings are still around. This is a great little film--be sure and catch it if you ever see it on the schedule!!!