On P List of Movie Reviews

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Panic in the Streets (1950)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 11/25

11/25: Courtesy of Elia Kazan's dull direction, Panic in the Streets is a noir snoozefest.

What a shocker this one won an Oscar for Best Writing. I don't think so. The topic is compelling, but the film is full of idle talk. Some rousing action can be had here and there, thanks to Richard Widmark. New Orleans? Hm, it feels like a New York picture that happens to take place there. Where are the black people?

Jack Palance is quite a grabby guy, huh? Therefore, I find it hard to believe that his character didn't die of the pneumonic plague earlier. He, in his screen debut, somewhat saves the picture with his stunt work at the end. On the other hand, Paul Douglas is okay and has a couple of good moments.

All in all, The Killer That Stalked New York is so much better than Panic in the Streets.

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