Panic in the Streets

 

Picture: B-     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Film: B

 

 

Panic in the Streets is a fairly tight film noir taking place in the streets of New Orleans and directed by reputable director Elia Kazan, best known for his classic film On the Waterfront, which would be shot a few years after this film.  Fox’s DVD for the film earns its rank as number three in their new series of Fox Film Noir’s, starting with Laura as number one, reviewed elsewhere on this site. 

 

The film has few flaws and manages to be quite suspenseful and edgy throughout, even with age.  The film opens in typical fashion as another low life is murdered after running out on a big boss during a game of cards.  Where this film ventures different though is when we find out that this low life was carrying pneumonic plague (similar to the bubonic plague only this can be spread by contact).  Intervening in the case is Dr. Clinton Reed (Richard Widmark), who is a government official for Public Health and he immediately quarantines everyone whom he knows was near the body and those that he finds out knew the man.  However, the real threat lies in the men that murdered him, which include the big boss played by Jack Palance.  If they spread the disease before they can be treated it could lead to an epidemic that would engulf the city.  

 

Where the film begins to suffer though is when it begins to wander outside the genre a bit and starts becoming too much like a disaster film or in this case a medical disaster film.  Not only that, but there are certain amounts of bizarre romance spread into it as we find out that Dr. Reed is not exactly the worlds greatest husband in the ‘give your wife attention’ department, yet she miraculously has a child and perhaps another on the way.  He seems to pent up on doing his job.  So while the film dabbles a bit and is not executed as strongly as it could, this would be a good launch pad for many careers as director Kazan would go on to works like A Streetcar Named Desire one year later and East of Eden, along with the aforementioned On The Waterfront.  Richard Widmark would go on to make a fantastic career for himself and star in one of my personal favorites with Pickup on South Street directed by Samuel Fuller.  That film was also shot by cinematographer Joe MacDonald, who shot this film as well. 

 

Speaking of cinematography Fox has issued this film to DVD keeping with its original aspect ratio of 1.33 X 1 full frame and has restored its image to a pleasing high quality showing off the stylish camerawork as intended.  While it did not receive the elaborate attention of Laura, this is still very acceptable as bright whites are nice and solid as are the dark deep blacks and when it comes to film noir it is vital to get the darks well balanced.  The overall focus is typically good with film grain still coherent and alive, with only minor sections ranging into the less superior as detail becomes less distinguishable and slightly muddy.  These moments are few and far between and the biggest advantage is that for the most part the print is clean and clear of debris and other distracting dirt.

 

The audio has also been cleaned up and presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.  There are still instances throughout with some minor blimps here and there and a minimal, but somewhat noticeable amount of hiss throughout.  Overall nothing that is going to totally take away from ones viewing experience or listening experience for that matter, but we are simply limited to a full dynamic range and 2.0 Mono never has a whole lot to offer anyway regardless of the films age. 

 

If you really enjoyed the film than you will also delight in the commentary track provided here by authors and historians James Ursini and Alain Silver, who give thoughtful insights into the film and really put the film into a knowledgeable spectrum alongside other films.  There is also the films original theatrical trailer, but aside from that there are no other extras. 

 

Highly recommended?  Perhaps to view once or maybe twice.  Ownership worthy?  Maybe if you are a huge fan of either certain cast members, film noir in general, or director Elia Kazan.  Luckily those that do spend the buck get a quality edition DVD that will be sure to get some use.

 

 

-   Nate Goss