Review of Cop Hater (1958) by Byron B — 30 Dec 2010

An early Robert Loggia film. As late fifties police killer movies go, this one was fairly interesting. The acting is pretty rough, with the detectives all trying to be fast talking interrogators. All tough guys looking for the killer of a fellow cop, or policeman, if you will. Then, his parter is killed the next day. The crime scene gives the only clues.

Written by Evan Hunter using the name Ed McBain, the book was inspired by a television show he greatly admired, Dragnet. Two patrolman parters are murdered from the same precinct a day apart. Tension runs pretty high as the police are clueless.

In black and white, this movie is pretty average or worse for the era.

William Berke Director.

John Bowman Assistant Director.

John Zane Assistant Director.

Cast.

Robert Loggia Detective [Steve] Carelli.

Gerald S. O'Loughlin Detective [Mike] Maguire.

Ellen Parker Carelli's girl--Teddy [Theodora Franklin] Shirley Ballard Maguire's wife--Alice Russell Hardie.

Detective Lt. Byrnes Hal Riddle.

Cop hater--killer [Mercer] William Neff.

Rookie cop--Kling Gene Miller.

Reporter [Hank] Miller Vince Gardenia.

Danny the Gimp John Gerstad.

Laboratory technician Ralph Stantley.

Detective Willis Glen Gannon.

Gang leader--Rip Alan Manson.

Newlywed Clark Sandra Stevens.

Newlywed wife Jan Kalionzes.

Officer Reardon's wife Jerry Orbach.

Gang leader--Mumzer Frank Dana.

Cinematography.

J. Burgi Contner.

Producer Morris Helprin.

Executive Producer Alfred Crown.

Executive Producer William Berke.

Producer Lee Gordon.

Everett Sutherland Supervising Film Editor.

Albert Glasser Music Composition and Conducting.

Jack Rabin Special Photography Effects.

Louis DeWitt Special Photography Effects.