Howard Duff - Frank Niles
Don Taylor - Det. Jimmy Halloran
Dorothy Hart - Ruth Morrison
Jules Dassin (Director)
There are 8 million stories in the naked city...
This is a famous quote from the film The Naked City. I loved this movie. I have really been on a good streak of unexpected surprises. This film opens with an aerial shot of New York. Brooklyn if I am not mistaken. There is a voice over addressing the viewer directly. It states that this is a film unlike any you have ever seen before. I was blown away by this. I have never seen a movie made in this ear that directly commented on that fact that is was a movie. At least never this bluntly.
The voice over goes on to state that the film was shot entirely on location in NY. That is very clear right away. This film contains some cinematography that is among the finest I have seen in years. I have always considered Woody Allen's film "Manhattan" a cinematic love letter to NY. Naked City is right up there with it. Where Manhattan focus's more on the sophisticated side of NY, Naked City is centered more in the every day, working class areas. Subways, docks, grimy side streets and back alleys.
The film then bounces back and forth between the narration (complete with beautiful montages of NY) and the story of a woman murdered and senior detective and his young rookie cop protege that are investigating the case. The film is hellmed by veteran actor Barry Fitzgerald Playing Det. Muldoon. He is perfect in the role. His diminutive stature and Irish accent lend themselves perfectly to a character that survives due to his instincts and experience.
Don Taylor does a fine job as the naive / thirsty for knowledge rookie, Det. Halloran. He is very charming and he pulls off a tough role in that he has to be a novice and a bit of a goof, but we still need to believe that he is competent enough to serve as a good cop.
The heels of the film I can't talk about too much, but they are a little cartoonish. That was pretty much the status qoue for noir films of the 40's. Still they provide drama and suspense.
This film is directed by Jules Dassin. He was the Frenchman behind the camera on fantastic films such as Rififi (one of my favorite movies), Night and the City and Never on a Sunday. I think I may have to add another director to my personal hall of fame. I will try to get around to reviewing at least Rififi soon.
Overall this is a near masterpiece. The Naked City is available through The Criterion Collection and Netflix Streaming. I give this film a 4.5/5 stars. Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.
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