Detective Story (1951)

67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(1,076 ratings)

Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Detective Story was praised for its realistic view of an event-filled day in a single police precinct station. The film, directed by meticulous taskmaster William Wyler, manages to retain this realism, even allowing for the star-turn performance of Kirk Douglas. A… More Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Detective Story was praised for its realistic view of an event-filled day in a single police precinct station. The film, directed by meticulous taskmaster William Wyler, manages to retain this realism, even allowing for the star-turn performance of Kirk Douglas. A stickler for the letter of the law, Detective James McLeod (Douglas) is not averse to using strong-arm methods on criminals and witnesses alike in bringing lawbreakers to justice. He is particularly rough on a first-time offender (Craig Hill), on whom the rest of the force is willing to go easy because of the anguish of his girlfriend (Cathy O'Donnell). But McLeod's strongest invective is reserved for shady abortion doctor Karl Schneider (George MacReady); McLeod all but ruins the case against Schneider by beating him up in the patrol wagon. When McLeod discovers that his own wife (Eleanor Parker) had many years earlier lost a baby in one of Schneider's operations, and that the baby's father was gangster Tami Giacoppetti (Gerald Mohr), it is too much for the detective to bear. Punctuating the grim proceedings with brief moments of humor is future Oscar winner Lee Grant, reprising her stage role as a timorous shoplifter; it would be her last Hollywood assignment until the early 1960s, thanks to the iniquities of the blacklist. Despite small concessions to Hollywood censorship, Detective Story largely upheld the power of its theatrical original, and it forms a clear precursor to such latter-day urban police dramas as NYPD Blue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: William Wyler
Written By: Sidney Kingsley, Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1951 Wide
On DVD: Oct 25, 2005
Studio: VCI

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though not one of Wyler's best films (it's still a play), the drama is well acted by Kirk Douglas as the tormented and obsessive cop and Lee Grant as a juvenile delinquent.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Wyler não consegue escapar da origem teatral do texto, mas imprime energia ao filme, que também é beneficiado por uma atuação estupenda de Douglas e por ótimas performances de Bendix, Parker e Grant (em sua estréia no cinema).
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
the film's histrionics haven't aged perfectly
Michael Szymanski, Hollywood.com
A classic film by William Wyler with memorable roles...
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Depressing
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Overwrought morality play.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
William Bendix is the best reason to see this yarn, a diverting story that never makes an impression proportionate to the talent of its cast and crew.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

My second favourite Kirk Douglas movie. He plays a detective perfectly, the dialogue is great, the rest of the cast is great, the story is exciting, and it all takes place in one day. One of my favourite movies.
Conner R

Truly a performance based movie that really shouldn't be treated as anything else. While it lacks powerful direction and style, I don't think there was ever any intent to have either of those. You stay involved for the larger than life performance from Kirk Douglas as the… More
Truly a performance based movie that really shouldn't be treated as anything else. While it lacks powerful direction and style, I don't think there was ever any intent to have either of those. You stay involved for the larger than life performance from Kirk Douglas as the most black and white cop to ever roam the streets of New York. You can clearly see this is better suited as a play and didn't necessarily need to make the jump to screen, but I'm pleased anyway.
jay n

Good solid film, somewhat dated. Eleanor Parker gives a lovely, delicate performance.
Henrik S

A very good "chamber" movie, with the setting being limited to a small locale (a police station) this case, the movie evolves around the dense relationships and small events turning into big one in the blink of an eye. The movie boasts an golden era cast, with a brisk Kirk… More
A very good "chamber" movie, with the setting being limited to a small locale (a police station) this case, the movie evolves around the dense relationships and small events turning into big one in the blink of an eye. The movie boasts an golden era cast, with a brisk Kirk Douglas in the lead. Yet, the movie comes alive through the smaller roles which are effectively casted as well, Joseph Wiseman (deceased only recently) shows off his lunatic repertoire while Cathy O' Donnell walks a fine line as slighlty disturbed woman under the influence. The movie tackles a very critical topic, considering it is an American (!) move from the 50ies (!), two thumbs up. With isses so un-canonical and an ending so unexpected, the movie stands apart from the usual Hollywood porridge of mediocricy and you by the time the film has finished, you can tell that it is based on play. The ambiguity of characters, the multidude of stories and the non-sensationalist ending feel fresh and entertaining. Good one, Henrik
monty h

One day in a New York City police precinct where all kinds of people intersect. Kirk Douglas is the tough detective who is dealing with a case involving an abortionist. It also has a shoplifter, two dangerous burglars, and an embezzler. A taut in your face crime drama that features a… More
One day in a New York City police precinct where all kinds of people intersect. Kirk Douglas is the tough detective who is dealing with a case involving an abortionist. It also has a shoplifter, two dangerous burglars, and an embezzler. A taut in your face crime drama that features a strong performance by Mr. Douglas and another good one by Eleanor Parker who plays his wife. One of the best of the detective movies from the 1950's. Detective McLeod: "Take a couple of drop dead pills".

Cast

            Kirk Douglas as Detective James McLeod

            Eleanor Parker as Mary McLeod

            William Bendix as Det. Lou Brody

            Lee Grant as Shoplifter

            George Macready as Karl Schneider

            Cathy O'Donnell as Susan Carmichael

            Bert Freed as Det. Dakis

            Joseph Wiseman as Charley Gennini Burglar

            Frank Faylen as Det. Gallagher

            Grandon Rhodes as Det. O'Brien

            Luis Van Rooten as Joe Feinson Reporter

            Craig Hill as Arthur Kindred

            Horace McMahon as Lieutenant Monaghan

            Warner Anderson as Endicott Sims

            Michael Strong as Lewis Abbott

            Russ Evans as Patrolman Barnes

            Gladys George as Miss Hatch

            Burt Mustin as Janitor

            James Maloney as Mr. Pritchett

            Gerald Mohr as Tami Giacoppetti

            Edmund Cobb as Ed Detective

            Ann Codee as Frenchwoman

            Catherine Doucet as Mrs. Farragut

            Pat Flaherty as Desk Sergeant

            Donald Kerr as Taxi Driver

            Mike Mahoney as Coleman

            Lee Miller as Policeman

            Ralph Montgomery as Finney

            William 'Bill' Phillips as Det. Pat Callahan

            Jack Shea as Desk Sergeant

            Harper Goff as Gallantz

            Howard Joslin as Patrolman Keogh

            Charles Campbell as Newspaper Photographer

            Bob Scott as Mulvey

            Kay Wiley as Hysterical Woman
See full cast