The Strip (1951)

21% of users liked it
(203 ratings)

Mickey Rooney returned to his "home" studio MGM, after a three-year absence, in the location-filmed melodrama The Strip. Rooney is cast as Stanley Maxton, an aspiring drummer who has the misfortune to fall within the orbit of bookie Sunny Johnson (James Craig). Out of the goodness of his heart,… More Mickey Rooney returned to his "home" studio MGM, after a three-year absence, in the location-filmed melodrama The Strip. Rooney is cast as Stanley Maxton, an aspiring drummer who has the misfortune to fall within the orbit of bookie Sunny Johnson (James Craig). Out of the goodness of his heart, Stanley introduces aspiring actress June Tafford (Sally Forrest) to Johnson, hoping that the latter's Hollywood connections will help the girl find success. Stanley also quits the rackets to play drums at a nightclub owned by his pal Fluff (William Demarest). Things take a sorry turn when Johnson decides to make a play for June; Stanley interferes and gets beaten up by the bookie's goons. June's response to this outrage results in tragedy for everyone. The Strip is a surprisingly downbeat effort for producer Joe Pasternak, a man usually associated with happy, wholesome Technicolor musicals. The film is highlighted by jazz performances from Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Earl "Fatha" Hines and Barney Bigard. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Laszlo Kardos
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1951 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's an above-average mystery story that could be categorized as film noir because of Rooney's pained expression as a victim of love.

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Cast

            Mickey Rooney as Stanley Maxton

            Sally Forrest as Jane Tafford

            William Demarest as Fluff

            James Craig as Delwyn "Sonny" Johnson

            Kay Brown as Edna

            Tommy Rettig as Artie

            Tom Powers as Detective Bonnabel

            Jonathan Cott as Behr

            Tommy Farrell as Boynton

            Myrna Dell as Paulette Ardrey

            Jacqueline Fontaine as Frieda

            Vic Damone as Singer

            Monica Lewis as Singer

            Joel Allen as Boy Friend

            Dolores Castle as Girl

            Lester Dorr as Police Surgeon

            Ward Ellis as Dancer

            Alex Frazer as Horticulturist

            Fred Graham as Deputy

            Don Haggerty as Deputy

            Sherry Hall as Doctor

            Earl Hodgins as Technician

            Larry Hudson as Clerk

            Frank Hyers as Sergeant

            Joyce Jameson as Girl

            Donald Kerr as Clerk

            Art Lewis as Sam

            Louis Armstrong and His Band as Band

            Robert Malcolm Young as Deputy

            John McGuire as Deputy

            Jeff Richards as G.I.

            Carl Saxe as Boyfriend

            Helen Spring as Elderly Secretary

            Jack Teagarden
            
            Russell Trent as Deputy

            Dee Turnell as Dancer

            Wilson Wood as Patron

            John Maxwell as Doctor

            William Tannen as Deputy

            Sig Frohlich as Clerk in Bookie Joint

            Tom Quinn as Doctor

            Jack Regas as Dancer

            Bert Davidson as Clerk

            Sam Finn as Clerk

            Dan Foster as G.I.

            Fred Datig Jr. as G.I.

            Betty Jane Howarth as Charleston Dancer

            Bert May as Specialty Dancer

            Roger Moore as Clerk
See full cast

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