City Across the River (1949)
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57% of users liked it
(117 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… 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
- Directed By
- Maxwell Shane
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Apr 7, 1949 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This film missed what teenage life was like in the city slums by a country mile.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Stephen McNally
as Stan Albert
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Thelma Ritter
as Mrs. Cusack
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Luis Van Rooten
as Joe Cusack
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Jeff Corey
as Lieutenant Macon
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Tony Curtis
as Mitch
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Sharon McManus
as Alice Cusack
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Sue England
as Betty
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Richard Jaeckel
as Bull
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Barbara Whiting
as Annie Kane
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Richard Benedict
as Gaggsy Steens
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Anabel Shaw
as Jean Albert
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Robert Osterloh
as Mr. Bannon
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Sara Berner
as Selma
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Al Eben
as Detective Kleiner
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Peter Fernandez
as Frank Cusack
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Joshua Shelley
as Crazy Perrin
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Mickey Knox
as Larry
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Joe Turkel
as Shimmy
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Frank Cady
as Shirley's partner
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Bert Conway
as Mr. Hayes
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Sandra Gould
as Shirley
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Judy Nugent
as Little Girl
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Drew Pearson
as Himself
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John M. Pickard
as Detective
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Ronnie Ralph
as Jerry
