Where the Sidewalk Ends Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cop accidentally kills a guy, frames a mobster, falls for the dead guy’s estranged wife, and then her dad gets blamed; noir shenanigans ensue.

🍿 Where the Sidewalk Ends: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introducing Mark Dixon

Detective Sergeant Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews) is a tough New York City cop known for his aggressive tactics. Haunted by his father’s criminal past, Dixon uses excessive force when dealing with suspects, leading to complaints and reprimands from his superiors. Despite warnings, Dixon struggles to control his violent tendencies, fueling his hatred for criminals and blurring the line between justice and vengeance.

Accidental Homicide

While investigating a murder at an illegal dice game run by Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill), Dixon pursues Ken Paine (Craig Stevens), a prime suspect. During a heated confrontation, Dixon accidentally kills Paine with a punch, unaware that Paine had a metal plate in his head from wartime injuries. Panicked and fearing the consequences of his actions given his disciplinary record, Dixon decides to cover up the crime.

Cover-Up and Complications

Dixon attempts to dispose of Paine’s body and stages the scene to appear as if Paine fled the city. However, his actions create a web of complications, as suspicion falls on Jiggs Taylor (Tom Tully), the father of Morgan Taylor (Gene Tierney), Paine’s estranged wife. As Dixon investigates the case, he finds himself falling in love with Morgan, further complicating his moral dilemma and increasing his guilt over framing an innocent man.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Det. Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews): A tough, but troubled detective haunted by his father’s criminal past, who struggles to control his violent impulses.
• Morgan Taylor (Gene Tierney): A beautiful and kind-hearted model, caught in a web of crime and deceit, who finds herself falling for a flawed detective.
• Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill): A ruthless gangster and the primary antagonist, who manipulates situations to his advantage and evades the law.
• Jiggs Taylor (Tom Tully): Morgan’s well-meaning but garrulous father and taxi driver, who becomes wrongly accused of murder.
• Ken Paine (Craig Stevens): A two-bit crook and bagman and Morgan’s estranged husband, whose death sets off a chain of events.
• Det. Paul Klein (Bert Freed): Dixon’s loyal police partner.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Insp. Nicholas Foley: “Your job is to detect criminals, not to punish them.” – Said to Dixon as a warning about his excessive force and brutality.
• Mark Dixon: “Innocent people can get into terrible jams, too. One false move and you’re in over your head.” – Expresses the precariousness of life and how easily one can become entangled in trouble.
• Mark Dixon: “It doesn’t always help to be innocent.” – Reflects Dixon’s cynical view of the justice system and the harsh realities of the city.
• Tommy Scalise: “Why are you always trying to push me in the gutter? I have as much right on the sidewalk as you.” – Highlights the struggle for respect and territory between the cop and the criminal.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.475M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Where the Sidewalk Ends Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ expecting another stylish noir, but it was much more intense. Dana Andrews delivers a powerhouse performance as a cop battling his inner demons, and the way the story spirals out of control kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was a bit of a gut punch, but I loved how it explored the consequences of violence and the search for redemption. The black and white cinematography really enhances the dark, gritty feel. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves classic noir.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Dana Andrews enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in morally complex characters”
  • “Those who appreciate gritty crime dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Alcohol Use”
  • “Brief depiction of domestic abuse”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Preminger’s grittier Big Apple tale fully the equal of his vaunted Laura. This is quintessential big-city noir, like several others from the bumper crop of 1950. Andrews may never have excelled his performance here. It’s tight-lipped and taciturn, but never more eloquent than when his face is silently registering the anguish to which his own obstinacy has brought him.
• IMDB: “”Where the Sidewalk Ends” is a gripping and melancholy exploration of the roots and consequences of violence. Dana Andrews had this distinction: he was incapable of appearing unintelligent. The noir focuses on cops who can’t control their violent impulses. Andrews is burdened by repressed guilt and self-loathing.
• IMDB: “The pacing’s all wrong. The premise is nifty and should be fail-safe, but the director, Otto Preminger, paces and scores it as if it were a lush melodrama. The sense of desperation doesn’t build. The story is like glass – you keep wanting to grab hold somewhere and you keep sliding off.

Audience Reactions

Dana Andrews’ performance is amazing in his portrayal of a troubled and brutal cop.: The gritty realism and intense performances make it a standout noir film.

The chemistry between Andrews and Tierney is great.: Atmospheric and dark.

Overall Consensus: A dark and compelling film noir with a strong lead performance by Dana Andrews. Some find the ending anticlimactic, but the overall experience is highly regarded for its gritty realism and suspense.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the last of several films Otto Preminger made for 20th Century Fox in the 1940s as a director-for-hire.”
• “The opening credits are written in chalk on a sidewalk and then walked over by someone whistling, setting the tone for the film’s gritty realism.”
• “The film reunites Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney, who previously starred together in Preminger’s ‘Laura’.”
• “Some filming took place on location in New York City.”

🖥️ How to Watch Where the Sidewalk Ends?

Where the Sidewalk Ends is available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon. Check your local listings for streaming options or consider renting through services like Apple TV. Availability may vary depending on your region, so be sure to verify before attempting to view.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Where the Sidewalk Ends, you might like these similar films:

• Laura (1944): Also directed by Otto Preminger and starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney, it’s a classic film noir with a sophisticated mystery.
• The Naked City (1948): A gritty police procedural also filmed on location in New York City, showcasing realistic detective work.
• Detective Story (1951): Like ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ it deals with a troubled cop whose own moral compass is tested in the line of duty.
• Night and the City (1950): Another film noir set in a large city, features a desperate character resorting to increasingly risky actions.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir that explores police corruption and moral ambiguity within the LAPD, echoing themes of the flawed protagonist.

🛒 Where the Sidewalk Ends Related Products

• Otto Preminger Film Noir Collection (Laura / Fallen Angel / Whirlpool / Where the Sidewalk Ends / The Thirteenth Letter): This collection features Otto Preminger’s film noir masterpieces, including ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends,’ for the ultimate noir fan.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: A comprehensive guide to film noir, featuring in-depth analyses of classic films like ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends,’ essential for serious cinephiles.
• 100 Film Noir Scratch Off Poster – All Time Greatest Movies Bucket List: Whether you’re a film noir aficionado or just beginning to explore the genre, this poster has something for everyone.
• The Big Clock (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: If you love ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ then you’ll also love this movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Street Scene” – performed by Alfred Newman

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Gene Tierney in LAURA from STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies

Ever wondered about Gene Tierney’s impact on Film Noir? This review of ‘Laura’ not only spotlights her talent but also deep dives into the genre itself. Honestly, it’s a must-watch for any classic movie buff!

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