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Reviews
He Walked by Night (1948)
Technical Adviser Marty Wynn and Miscellaneous Observations
Fascinating and insightful to read the comments posted by Sgt. Wynn's son Charles (see comment #42 by annwynn). Police technical advisers are commonplace nowadays, but Sgt. Wynn's participation was a novel idea in 1948. This straight shooting approach does nothing to diminish the compelling drama told in this story (accurate depiction of the case it's based on or not).
This film is among the best of the documentary style dramas of it's time with A-list voice over specialist Reed Hadley providing the narration. The brief travelogue guide and the tour of Los Angeles Police Headquarters in the opening segment little prepare you for the shocking murder of Officer Robert Rawlins.
As a retired police officer, I can assure you that no dispatched call creates quite the adrenalin surge than that of an officer involved shooting. Like a "Broken Arrow" transmission in the military, all cops break off their current assignment to respond, just like in the film. The film doesn't glorify the drudgery of detective work, on the contrary, it shows that only tireless followup will often lead one to their suspect.
This film is among those that piqued my interest in becoming an officer. I too commuted to work and back in uniform (to avoid dressing twice everyday) but Officer Rawlins' ambush was always in the back of my mind and I employed tactics accordingly (always address suspects or suspicious persons from outside your vehicle for instance).
It is a bygone era when it was cooler to be a cop than a criminal. Modern films glorify acts of mindless violence and copycat crimes are commonplace. He Walked By Night not only shows the gritty side of policing, it rightly shows that the job can not be done without the help of citizen involvement. If only all sketch artists were as handy with their pencils as Jack Webb/Lee is with his slides. There is little doubt that the use of deadly force in the capture of Roy Morgan is justified and there is no glamour or glory in his death.
Two bits of humor in the closing sequence are the apparent length of the battle lantern's cords as they stretch the length of the sewer system and speed in which the detectives/officers don their gas masks before the final confrontation.
He Walked By Night to me remains the definitive model upon which all other such police dramas are inspired. Alfred Werker's pacing and John Alton's cinematography are flawless. I think this film is a fitting tribute to Sgt. Marty Wynn and all the cops of his era. I recommend it to everyone.
Nevada Smith (1966)
Character Study
Once you suspend your incredulity of Steve McQueen portraying a 16 year old boy at 35, Nevada Smith offers a fine portrait of the American West. McQueen delivers as usual and, although it is hard to take your eyes off of him, failure to do so will cause you to overlook some of the finest supporting characters in Western films.
Brian Keith's Jonas Cord is the kind of mentor we would all like to have. Temperate, patient and all knowing, he punctuates his practical life lessons with several classic wise cracks (see memorable quotes) and gives Max Sand his sense of direction.
Ric Roman's Cipriano, a Fitch henchman, has no problem robbing and killing until a confederate pulls a gun on Priest Raf Vallone. The conviction in his threat to kill his partner to protect the Priest's life leaves a lasting impression and illustrates that some childhood lessons on the code of conduct never leave us.
Paul Fix as Sheriff Bonnell has only two scenes but makes the most of them. His blunt warning to Max/Nevada and subsequent and inimitable stride back to his office leaves us all pondering the potential of not complying with his order. His subsequent gunpoint arrest of Max/Nevada in the saloon leaves little doubt of his sincerity and capability.
Val Avery seldom plays likable characters, but his bartender, Buck Mason, offering sanctuary and free advice with his first morning pour, gives you a hint of the decency that may have existed in the otherwise uncivilized West.
Pat Hingle's prison trustee, Big Foot, rides the fence brilliantly and evokes your sympathy when he becomes the unwitting scapegoat for Nevada's ultimate escape.
Josephine Hutchinson, Stanley Adams, John Litel, Ted de Corsia and Bert Freed all bring life to characters only seen for a few fleeting minutes.
These performances enhance an action-packed Western and elevate this film above your typical revenge drama. It is among the Westerns that I watch over and over without apology.
Bullitt (1968)
Restrained Detective
Steve McQueen's Lieutenant Frank Bullitt exercises deadly force restraint not often seen these days in cinema. While searching the hospital basement for the Grey-haired hit man he is startled by linen dropping down a laundry chute. He reaches for his gun, but never draws it. While pursuing both hit men through San Francisco streets and throughout his foot chase of Frank Ross across airport runways, he comes under fire several times.He reacts by ratcheting up his pursuit and closing the distance. Bullitt does not draw his own weapon until he enters the airport terminal for the film's concluding confrontation. Although his tactics may not seem entirely prudent, they illustrate his coolness under fire and his ability to function without relying on his weapon. You're unlikely to see Harry Callahan, Martin Riggs or John McClane keep their pistol holstered under like circumstances.
Rocky Mountain (1950)
Unique Aspects of This Film
Errol Flynn brings a world-weary look and an understated performance to this William Keighley directed Western. The film features several gifted horsemen Dickie Jones, Buzz Henry, Slim Pickens, Sheb Wooley and the legendary Yakima Canutt. It was the first film for both Pickens and Wooley who both became journeymen character actors.
It is also interesting to see Errol Flynn and Patrice Wymore (Mrs. Errol Flynn) work together in their only pairing on screen. The presence of Flynn's carousing companion Guinn "Big Boy" Williams also puts Flynn at ease in this role.
Rocky Mountain blends a Civil War chapter, rampaging Indians and a love triangle all in a solitary location shoot. One of the last black & white Westerns, it holds up well more than 50 years after it was filmed.