Side Street **** (1949, Farley Granger, Cathy O’Donnell, James Craig, Paul Kelly, Jean Hagen) – Classic Movie Review 5262

Director Anthony Mann’s sterling 1949 film noir crime drama is a memorable rematch for Farley Granger and Cathy O’Donnell, the two sweet young stars of They Live by Night (1948).

Granger plays downtrodden post clerk Joe Norson, who is struggling to support his young wife Ellen (O’Donnell), and so turns to crime when steals money from the office of a shady lawyer. But of course he soon finds himself in way over his head in trouble.

Written by Sidney Boehm, this downbeat but affecting story is earnestly and effectively performed in a neatly crafted, worthwhile film.

Also in the cast is James Craig, Paul Kelly, Jean Hagen, Paul Harvey, Edmon Ryan, Charles McGraw, Ed Max, Adele Jergens, Harry Bellaver, Whit Bissell, John Gallaudet, Esther Somers and Harry Antrim.

Granger is also famous for his two films with Hitchcock, Rope (1948) and Strangers on a Train (1951).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5262

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