Review of Detective Story (1951) by Grant S — 29 May 2016

William Wyler's gritty, absorbing cinematic adaptation of the smash Broadway hit play by Sidney Kingley. It is set in a New York City police station in the early 1950s, where a rigid, no-nonsense Detective named Jim McLeod, played brilliantly by Kirk Douglas in a powerhouse performance.

McLeod has a twisted personal code and a unique hatred for criminals which he has no mercy for, he would act as judge and jury for any case for which he is involved. He obsessively pursues an abortionist, Karl Schneider, superbly played by George Macready who has been link to the death of several young women, this will tragically lead McLeod to personal disaster.

Astute direction by Wyler, with exceptional performances by Eleanor Parker in an Oscar nominated performance as McLeod's loving wife with a past, William Bendix as McLeod's loyal police colleague, Horace McMahon as McLeod's stern, but fair Commander, Joseph Wiseman as the hysterical thief, Michael Strong as the dim-witted thief's partner, Craig Hill as the handsome, clean-cut embezzler, Cathy O'Donnell as the embezzler's adoring wannabe girlfriend, and Lee Grant who is sensation in her Oscar nominated film debut as a Brooklynese shoplifter.

An American classic. Highly Recommended.