(1951)
2.5
Craig Butler
Sometimes referred to as a film noir, Cry Danger doesn't really belong in that category; instead, it's more of a cime thriller with some noir overtones. While not a top notch picture, Danger is quite satisfying, a neat, tidy little film that accomplishes what it aims to do with a minimum of fuss and a decent amount of style. The set-up is familiar: innocent man released from prison seeks to clear his and his wrongly-accused friend's names rather than leave well enough alone. It's the kind of set-up that often evokes a harshly grand style, not over-the-top by nay means, but one in which every moment can be filled with meaning. Not so in Danger, because the lead character isn't really such a tough guy as all that. He's dead set on his mission, but he's also out to have some fun, to revisit an old flame and to find some way of achieving a normal life for himself. Indeed, you get the feeling that once he has cleared his name, this man will settle into a suburban tract house with a comfy wife and 2.2 children and a dog and live contentedly ever after -- not typical for a hero of this kind of film. This is both a plus and a minus, giving the character a different take but also working against the audience's belief in his determination. This is by no means the fault of actor Dick Powell, who does a superlative job in the role and carries the film squarely on his shoulders. He gets wonderful support from Richard Erdman and good support from Regis Toomey. Rhonda Fleming is not as strong as one might wish but is not damaging. Strong direction from Robert Parrish is a bonus.
cast-crew for Cry Danger on AllMovie
Cry Danger (1951)
