Mon 20 Nov 2017
THE UNDERWORLD STORY. United Artists, 1950. Dan Duryea, Herbert Marshall, Gale Storm, Howard Da Silva, Michael O’Shea, Mary Anderson, Harry Shannon, Roland Winters. Based on a story by Craig Rice. Director: Cy Endfield.
There are two good reasons to watch this not-quite-noir crime film, and one of the them is Dan Duryea. As reporter Mike Reese, as brash as they come, he is bounced and then blacklisted from all of the big city newspapers. Taking a loan from mobster Howard Da Silva, the second reason to see this movie, he fast-talks his way into being a partner in a small weekly paper out in the suburbs, one owned by Gale Storm’s character.
She hesitates, but you know Dan Duryea, or you probably do. She’s o match for his affable gift of gab, while all he while you can tell what he’s thinking: what it is that’s in it for him? When a black maid is accused of killing her employer, the wife of the son of one of the owners of one of the big city newspapers, he sees his chance to make a name for himself, and grabs it. No moss under this guy’s feet.
Duryea’s character will keep you off balance all of the way through the movie, Just when, you wonder, will he cross all the way over and be “good”? In spite of the title, this is more of a murder mystery than it is a gangster film — but not a detective story, not at least as far as the viewer is concerned, since we know whodunit almost as son as he’s done it. It takes a while for Duryea and Storm to figure it out, though.
And in case you’re wondering, there is a trace of romance in the air, but not much more than a trace. Every time you think the story’s going there, Duryea does something that simply snaps Gale Storm’s head back. Literally.
November 20th, 2017 at 8:18 am
This film is based on a story by Craig Rice.
For years, I’ve been trying to link up the subjects of this film, with Rice’s prose work. But have mainly failed. Journalist and media characters are everywhere in Rice. But otherwise I’m still baffled.
November 20th, 2017 at 11:55 am
I’ll add Rice to the credits. Thanks for catching that, Mike. I suspect the story was written solely for the film and never appeared in print anywhere else.
November 20th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Third paragraph should read “OFF balance” I believe. Glad to see the Craig Rice connection. One of my favorite writers.
November 20th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Fixed. Thanks, Randy!
November 20th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Sounds like Duryea’s character is cut from the same cloth as Kirk Douglas’ reporter in ACE IN THE HOLE/THE BIG CARNIVAL, released the following year.
November 20th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
I have a confession to make. I’ve never seen the Kirk Douglas movie, but from what I do know about it, the basic theme has to be partly the same as this one.
Someone who’s seen both will have to say more than I can.
November 21st, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Interesting and sometime fun film. It was even adapted as a comic book version of the film. Off beat performance by Duryea.