City Across the River (1949)

57% of users liked it
(116 ratings)

This slightly bowdlerized version of Irving Shulman's The Amboy Dukes was used by Universal-International to showcase several of its new male contractees. Set in the slums of Brooklyn, the film follows the exploits of the Amboy Dukes, a teenaged street gang. Foremost among the Dukes is Frank Cusack… More This slightly bowdlerized version of Irving Shulman's The Amboy Dukes was used by Universal-International to showcase several of its new male contractees. Set in the slums of Brooklyn, the film follows the exploits of the Amboy Dukes, a teenaged street gang. Foremost among the Dukes is Frank Cusack (Peter Fernandez), who loses all opportunity to escape his grim existence when he accidentally kills his high-school teacher. The film tries to demonstrate that the so-called "code of the streets"--never rat on a pal--is possibly more destructive than any brass knuckle or switchblade. Maxwell Shane and Dennis Cooper's screenplay resists any temptation to sentimentalize the kids or trivialize their plight; the closest the film comes to comedy relief are the shattered romantic illusions of the near-moronic Crazy Perrin. Prominent among the supporting players are Thelma Ritter as Frank Cusack's anguished mother, Stephen McNally as a community center counselor, and Anthony (Tony) Curtis as the leather-jacketed gang leader. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Maxwell Shane
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 7, 1949 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This film missed what teenage life was like in the city slums by a country mile.

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Cast

            Stephen McNally as Stan Albert

            Thelma Ritter as Mrs. Cusack

            Luis Van Rooten as Joe Cusack

            Jeff Corey as Lieutenant Macon

            Tony Curtis as Mitch

            Sharon McManus as Alice Cusack

            Sue England as Betty

            Richard Jaeckel as Bull

            Barbara Whiting as Annie Kane

            Richard Benedict as Gaggsy Steens

            Anabel Shaw as Jean Albert

            Robert Osterloh as Mr. Bannon

            Sara Berner as Selma

            Al Eben as Detective Kleiner

            Peter Fernandez as Frank Cusack

            Joshua Shelley as Crazy Perrin

            Mickey Knox as Larry

            Joe Turkel as Shimmy

            Frank Cady as Shirley's partner

            Bert Conway as Mr. Hayes

            Sandra Gould as Shirley

            Judy Nugent as Little Girl

            Drew Pearson as Himself

            John M. Pickard as Detective

            Ronnie Ralph as Jerry
See full cast

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