City Across the River (1949)
-
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
- 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.
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)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
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