Night and the City Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A London con man decides wrestling needs more fake drama, but forgets that sometimes real pain is more profitable.

🍿 Night and the City: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Harry’s Hustle

Harry Fabian, a down-on-his-luck hustler in London, dreams of making it big. He works as a tout for a nightclub owned by Phil Nosseross, but his ambitions extend far beyond his current circumstances. He constantly schemes, looking for the next big opportunity to make money and elevate his status, much to the dismay of his girlfriend Mary.

Wrestling Scheme

Fabian overhears a conflict between Gregorius, a former Greco-Roman wrestling champion, and his son Kristo, who runs a more modern, less reputable wrestling promotion. Seeing an opportunity, Harry convinces Gregorius to help him start a new wrestling promotion featuring the traditional Greco-Roman style, promising to bring back its former glory. He envisions a lucrative business venture that will finally make him a success.

Deception and Betrayal

To finance his wrestling venture, Harry cons Helen Nosseross, Phil’s wife, into providing him with funds, promising to help her secure a license for her own nightclub. He also seeks partnership with Phil, further complicating the situation. As Harry’s schemes unfold, he finds himself caught in a web of deceit and betrayal, with Kristo and others determined to stop him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark): A small-time American hustler in London whose ambitious schemes and desire for wealth lead to his downfall.
• Mary Bristol (Gene Tierney): Harry’s loyal but increasingly disillusioned girlfriend who dreams of a better life.
• Helen Nosseross (Googie Withers): The discontented wife of a nightclub owner who seeks to escape her marriage and start her own business, manipulating Harry in the process.
• Philip Nosseross (Francis L. Sullivan): The wealthy nightclub owner and Harry’s boss who is betrayed by his wife and seeks revenge.
• Hermes Kristo (Herbert Lom): A ruthless wrestling promoter who becomes Harry’s primary antagonist after his wrestling empire is threatened.
• Gregorius Kristo (Stanislaus Zbyszko): A former Greco-Roman wrestling champion and Kristo’s father, whom Harry exploits to try to get into the wrestling business.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Opening voice-over: “Night and the city. The night is tonight, tomorrow night… or any night. The city is London.” – Sets the tone and atmosphere of the film noir, focusing on the timeless, dark nature of the city.
• Harry Fabian: “I’m a natural born hustler.” – Harry’s self-assessment, revealing his confidence (or delusion) in his ability to con people.
• Philip Nosseross: “You’ve got it all, but you’re a dead man, Harry Fabian.” – Nosseross foreshadows Fabian’s demise, recognizing that his ambition has made him a target.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $43,024

💥 Night and the City Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into the dark world of Harry Fabian. Richard Widmark’s portrayal of a desperate hustler is captivating and tragic. The scene where he’s frantically running through the foggy London streets, with everyone closing in, was truly gripping. I felt like I was right there with him, and the bleak ending left me speechless.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Those interested in crime thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate gritty, realistic portrayals of urban life”
  • “Richard Widmark fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Implied criminal activity”
  • “Brief scenes of wrestling violence”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Dassin’s talent squandered on a trashy yarn, a turgid pictorial grotesque. Screenplay lacks dramatic virtue or valid story-line. Little more than a melange of maggoty episodes.
• FilmFanatic.org: “Gritty, atmospheric, and featuring a career-best performance from Richard Widmark, ‘Night and the City’ is a must-see for any fan of film noir. Dassin masterfully captures the desperation of its characters and the seediness of its London setting.
• AllMovie: “A dark and disturbing masterpiece of film noir. Richard Widmark delivers a powerhouse performance as a two-bit hustler spiraling out of control. Jules Dassin’s direction is sharp and the cinematography is stunning.

Audience Reactions

Richard Widmark’s performance is amazing, very expressive as the world falls down around him.: Most viewers praise Richard Widmark’s brilliant performance and consider this a must-see noir film.

Fans loved the authentic wrestling scene, saying that is stands up well and is very believable.: The brutal wrestling scene between Stanislaus Zbyszko and Mike Mazurki took fans by surprise.

Overall Consensus: A classic film noir noted for its grittiness, atmosphere, and Richard Widmark’s intense performance, but with some divergent opinions on the script.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Jules Dassin was blacklisted during the making of this film, and studio head Darryl F. Zanuck advised him to shoot the most expensive scenes first in case he was shut down.”
• “The film was shot on location in London, adding to its gritty realism.”
• “Stanislaus Zbyszko, who played Gregorius, was a real-life professional wrestler, lending authenticity to the wrestling scenes.”
• “Two versions of the film were produced: a British release and an American release, featuring different scores, editing, and even alternate shots in the ending.”

🖥️ How to Watch Night and the City?

Currently, ‘Night and the City’ (1950) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may vary by region. Consider physical media options like Criterion Collection Blu-ray for bonus content.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Night and the City, you might like these similar films:

• The Third Man (1949): A classic British noir set in post-war Vienna, featuring moral ambiguity and a protagonist caught in a web of intrigue, similar to Night and the City.
• Sweet Smell of Success (1957): Examines the dark side of ambition and the ruthless world of show business, mirroring Night and the City’s themes of desperation and moral compromise.
• The Killing (1956): An expertly crafted heist movie with flawed characters driven by greed, similar to the flawed characters of ‘Night and the City’.

🛒 Night and the City Related Products

• Night and the City (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-quality restoration of the film with exclusive bonus content, including interviews with Jules Dassin and film historians. A must have for collectors!
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood VI (6 Films): A collection of classic film noir movies on Digital streaming, with Night and the City in the selection.
• Richard Widmark: Screen Icon Collection [DVD]: Collection of movies highlighting the best of Richard Widmark.
• Vintage Movie Poster ‘Night and the City’: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster for ‘Night and the City’. Perfect for film buffs and collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Night and the City features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Here’s to Champagne” – performed by Maudie Edwards (dubbing Gene Tierney)
• “Night and the City – Main Title” – performed by Franz Waxman
• “The Chase Begins” – performed by Franz Waxman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Man Discovers An Island Of Mini People And Captured By Them

Curious about Gulliver’s adventures but short on time? This video gives you the whole story of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ in just 10 minutes – perfect for a quick recap or to see if the movie is right for you!

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