The Turning Point (1952)

67% of users liked it
(48 ratings)

Edmond O'Brien stars as an idealistic state's attorney assigned to crack down on a crime syndicate. This proves more dangerous than first suspected, since the syndicate has a number of city officials in its pocket--including the father of one of the investigating committee's chairpersons. William… More Edmond O'Brien stars as an idealistic state's attorney assigned to crack down on a crime syndicate. This proves more dangerous than first suspected, since the syndicate has a number of city officials in its pocket--including the father of one of the investigating committee's chairpersons. William Holden is the crusading newspaperman who attempts to help O'Brien, but even his efforts are compromised by deeply entrenched political corruption. The climax is staged at a crowded boxing arena, where Holden is struck down by an assassin's bullet intended for O'Brien. Inspired by the real-life Senate investigations of 1951, The Turning Point is neither a remake of a 1917 Paramount silent of the same name, nor was the 1977 ballet-oriented Turning Point a remake of the 1952 film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: William Dieterle
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 15, 1952 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A hard-boiled entertaining crime story that is skeptical if idealistic politicians alone can clean up the dirt in a big city.

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

jay n

Solid crime drama with a better than usual part for Alexis Smith and good performances from the entire cast. Strong direction moves this along at an involving pace.

Cast

            William Holden as Jerry McKibbon

            Edmond O'Brien as John Conroy

            Alexis Smith as Amanda Waycross

            Tom Tully as Matt Conroy

            Ed Begley Sr. as Eichelberger

            Danny Dayton as Roy Ackerman

            Ray Teal as Clint

            Adele Longmire as Carmelina

            Ted de Corsia as Harrigan

            Howard Freeman as Fogel

            Neville Brand as Red

            Jay Adler as Sammy

            Judith Ames as Girl

            Tony Barr as Garcia

            Whit Bissell as Buck

            Russ Conway as Reporter

            George Ford as Policeman

            Diane Garrett as Woman

            Grace Hayle as Mrs. Martin

            Harry Hines as Gas man

            Soledad Jiminez as Mrs. Manzinates

            Russell Johnson as Herman

            Carolyn Jones as Woman

            Joel Marston as Reporter

            Ralph Montgomery as Driver

            Mary Murphy as Secretary

            Lee Phelps as Policeman

            Don Porter as Joe Silbray

            Robert Rockwell as Reporter

            Franz Roehn as Cashier

            Ralph Sanford as Harry

            Jamesson Shade as Staff Member

            Charles Sherlock as Policeman

            Chalky Williams as Policeman

            Peter Baldwin as Boy

            John Maxwell as Ed

            Tom Moore as Drugstore Owner

            Hazel Boyne as Woman

            Leonard George as Lefty

            Jerry James as Man

            Jean Ransome as Maid

            Leonard Bremen as Doc

            Charles Campbell as Cameraman

            Albin Robeling as Waiter

            Buddy Sullivan
            
See full cast