Side Street (1950)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(480 ratings)

Farley Granger plays a casually larcenous New York City mailman who steals a shipment of money. Granger's excitement over this windfall turns to terror when he discovers that the money was part of a transaction between gangsters. Harassed by both crooks and cops, Granger lives to regret his… More Farley Granger plays a casually larcenous New York City mailman who steals a shipment of money. Granger's excitement over this windfall turns to terror when he discovers that the money was part of a transaction between gangsters. Harassed by both crooks and cops, Granger lives to regret his impulsive theft--especially when it is tied in with a murder. The story is wrapped up in spectacular fashion with a climactic car chase. Farley Granger's costar in Side Street is Cathy O'Donnell; both were on loan to MGM from Samuel Goldwyn, and both were banking on their previous successful teaming in RKO's They Live By Night. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Anthony Mann
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 23, 1950 Wide
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Cut down to its essentials, that's just about all it is: in short. It can only be fully recommended to those who have a deep and morbid interest in crime.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Visually splendid film noir thriller shot in New York City.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Probably a minor Mann, but still very much worth seeing.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a nice little film, and greatly overlooked. (Film Noir Classics, Volume 4)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...bristles with sharp angles, playful juxtapositions of light and shadow, and every facet of film noir you would expect to find in the very best of the breed.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The film's title is a reference to its entwined physical and moral frameworks.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A taut film noir.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Solid noir features excellent NYC locations and a unique car chase sequence.
Michael G

One of Anthony Mann's last and great film noir pieces that seems to borrow quite a bit from Naked City. Mann's direction overshadows the just there performances by Farley Granger, Cathy O'Donnell and the rest of the cast. Mann sets up some spectacular shots of late 40s… More
One of Anthony Mann's last and great film noir pieces that seems to borrow quite a bit from Naked City. Mann's direction overshadows the just there performances by Farley Granger, Cathy O'Donnell and the rest of the cast. Mann sets up some spectacular shots of late 40s New York City. The uneven and bouncy script start to take away from Side Street until that final brilliant car chase (which ultimately won me over) goes down. Great opening titles too.
Ken S

Anthony man delivers a great noir starring Farley Granger. Great Early Car Chase

Cast

            Farley Granger as Joe Norson

            Cathy O'Donnell as Ellen Norson

            James Craig as Georgie Garsell

            Paul Kelly as Capt. Walter Anderson

            Jean Hagen as Harriet Sinton

            Paul Harvey as Emil Lorrison

            Edmon Ryan as Victor Backett

            Charles McGraw as Stanley Simon

            Edwin Max as Nick Drummon

            Adele Jergens as Lucille "Lucky" Colner

            Harry Bellaver as Larry Grill

            Whit Bissell as Harold Simpsen

            John Gallaudet as Gus Heldon

            Esther Somers as Mrs. Malby

            Harry Antrim as Mr. Malby

            Margaret Brayton as Woman Clerk

            John K. Butler as Elevator Man

            Ben Cooper as Young Man

            Helen Eby-Rock as Mother

            Kathryn Givney as Miss Carter

            Edmund Glover as Fingerprint Expert

            Eula Guy as Florence

            Don Haggerty as Rivers

            William Hansen as Dr. Harry Sternberg

            Brett King as Pigeon Man

            Nolan Leary as Doorman

            Norman Leavitt as Pete Stanton

            Ellen Lowe as Mrs. Rivers

            George Lynn as Frank

            Robert Malcolm Young as Charlie

            Paul Marion as Dave

            Lynne Millan as Hatcheck Girl

            Ralph Montgomery as Milkman

            Alberto Morin as Ismot Kimal

            William H. Ruhl as Manny

            Sarah Selby as Nurse Williams

            Ransom Sherman as Superintendent

            Dan Terranova
            
            Sid Tomack as Louie

            George Tyne as Detective Roffman

            Minerva Urecal as Landlady

            Herb Vigran as Photographer

            Ruth Warren as Housekeeper

            James Westerfield as Patrolman

            David Wolfe as Smitty

            King Donovan as Gottschalk

            John Maxwell as Monitor

            Peter Thompson as Mickey

            Gail Bonney
            
            Marjorie Liszt as Women

            Charles McAvoy as Bank Guard

            Ollie O'Toole
            
            George David as Syrian Proprietor

            Jack Diamond as Bum

            Angi O. Poulos as Ahmed

            Joe Verdi as Vendor

            John Phillips as Detective

            James O'Neill as Priest
See full cast