"Night and the City" Review

 

by Daniel White

Jules Dassin's Night and the City (1950) is not only one of the finest film noirs ever made, it is one of the greatest movies ever created during the Golden Age of film. Produced by Twentieth Century Fox, studio head Darryl Zanuck opted to have the flick shot entirely in London. Dassin was under scrutiny by HUAC at the time and Zanuck felt there would be less attention paid to his director if he was working overseas. Which proved beneficial to the making of the movie. Not only did that decision permit such worthy English actors like Googie Withers and Francis L. Sullivan to participate, it allowed for London-based cinematographer Max Greene's involvement. Greene's contribution is invaluable, providing some of the most stunning cinematography ever seen on film.

Richard Widmark stars as Harry Fabian, a conniving, two-bit hustler constantly on the make. A nickel and dime con man, Fabian is always looking for the one idea that will put him in the big time. Widmark is phenomenal, a frenetic, spastic performance that energizes the film. Always on the move, he is a human whirlwind, repeatedly peering over his shoulder while rushing into tomorrow. An actor who can sometimes annoy with his manic giggle and unrelenting intensity, Widmark has found the perfect role in Harry Fabian.

Gene Tierney offers up solid support as girlfriend Mary. Weary of the chaotic, seedy life Harry has sucked her into, she is a woman at the end of her tether. Zanuck insisted Dassin use the troubled actress. She was beginning to display signs of the mental illness that would plague her intermittently for the rest of her life. He hoped that by getting Tierney out of Hollywood and giving her a job, it might help his unhappy star.

Dassin's ability to evoke the dark and dirty underbelly of London life is without parallel. A world of grifters, shysters, and cheats, the tawdry denizens are as memorable as any of the key players. Nothing is wasted in this film, each scene thrillingly and expertly concocted. It would not be an overstatement to say Night and the City is a masterpiece.

Googie Withers and Francis L Sullivan co-star as a couple who run a nightclub where Harry works his shady deals and Mary sings. Frustrated by her controlling mate's hold on her, Helen (Withers) attempts to break free with disastrous results for both of them. Both actors are amazing, especially Miss Withers. It's not easy gaining the audience's sympathy while playing a cold-hearted bitch, but Withers does it. A calculating opportunist who gets her comeuppance, Helen elicits our compassion, despite being unlikable.

The film never falters, except perhaps in its ending when it suggests Mary might find happiness with an upstairs neighbor (Hugh Marlowe) who designs toys for a living. I imagine she will always prefer the tumult and anxiety that life with Harry offered. She may succumb to the toymaker's placid charms, but will forever mourn the loss of the turbulent Harry.

With Herbert Lom as the man who finally destroys Harry, Mike Mazurki as a combustible wrestler, and Franz Waxman handling the musical score, the near perfect Night and the City is available on YouTube.