The Stranger (1946): Orson Welles and Edward G. Robinson

     Put down by some and applauded by others, regardless of opinion, The Stranger (1946) remains one of Orson Welles most memorable films, and his only film with true box office success upon it's initial release. The tense atmosphere created by the idea of an atrocious Nazi war criminal hiding in the midst of a small, cookie-cutter American town is all together unsettling, nail-biting and fascinating. The cinematography is excellent, and the performances of Orson Welles and Edward G. Robinson are superb.

     Edward G. Robinson is a detective for the War Crimes Commission... 

The Stranger. 1946: Edward G. Robinson

     Out to catch Franz Kindler, the most notorious of the escaped Nazi leaders, a plan is devised to accidentally let Kindler's second in command escape prison. The hope being that the escaped man will lead them to Kindler. The plan works, and they follow him to the small town of Harper, Connecticut where Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under the assumed name of Charles Rankin and teaching at a local school. Kindler immediately suspects that a trap has been set and kills the man... 

The Stranger. 1946: Orson Welles

     Now Robinson, freshly arrived and without a witness must search and discreetly interview the town to discover Kindler's new identity... 

The Stranger. 1946: Edward G. Robinson and Orson Welles

     Gaining the trust of those closest to the chief suspect, he works further to gain the trust of the criminal's new wife, who naturally refuses to believe her beloved husband is capable of such horrors. The walls are closing in, and Kindler knows time is short, as the investigation continues...

The Stranger. 1946: Orson Welles

     and the clock continues to tick...

The Stranger. 1946: Orson Welles

The Stranger. 1946: Edward G. Robinson and Orson Welles

Dick Tracy (1990): Warren Beatty, Al Pacino and Madonna

     Any shortcomings Dick Tracy (1990) might have in terms of story line are more than made up for with style. With it's use of bright primary colors, the film is, if nothing else, visually stunning and at some points, beautiful. Snagging an Oscar for the startling transformations brought about through the creative use of make-up, the film truly brings the original cartoon characters to life on the screen. The all-star cast helps as well (Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Paul Sorvino, Dick Van Dyke, Madonna...)

     Dick Tracy is up to his usual routine. Battling bad guys and always perpetually hesitating on popping the question to Tess, he is in a constant dilemma. 

Dick Tracy. 1990: Warren Beatty

     Faint glimpses of a normal life appear and seem plausible when he and Tess half-adopt a guttersnipe kid.

Dick Tracy. 1990: Warren Beatty

      Tess and the kid take a back seat however, when Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) eliminates his competition and decides to take the helm of organized crime in the City. Dick Tracy, the consummate Cop, needs to stop him. 

Dick Tracy. 1990: Al Pacino and Madonna

     Tracy must not only take on Big Boy's henchmen... 

Dick Tracy. 1990

     But added tension comes from the advances of Breathless Mahoney (Madonna, in a surprisingly good performance) 

Dick Tracy. 1990: Madonna

     She is night club performer who seems smitten with him, and has knowledge that Dick Tracy believes will put Big Boy behind bars... 

Dick Tracy. 1990: Madonna

     The usual shoot-outs and frame-ups occur as Dick Tracy builds his case and does his damnedest to bring the bad guys down...

Dick Tracy. 1990: Madonna

The Hoodlum (1951): Lawrence Tierney

 

     Most modern audiences remember Lawrence Tierney as Joe in Reservoir Dogs, or as Elaine's father on Seinfeld. Tierney had a successful run in the 1940's and 50's as well, playing mostly criminals. The Hoodlum (1951) is a good example from this earlier period in his career.

     Tierney plays a career criminal who has recently been released from prison.

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

      He would not have gotten out had it not been for the pleas of his elderly mother.

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

      He gets a job working at his brothers gas station. Bored and jealous of his brother, he steals his brother's girlfriend, impregnates her and refuses to get married. This causes the girl to commit suicide.

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

     The bank across the street proves too tempting for the ex-con, and he plans a heist with some of his criminal buddies. 

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

     He flirts with a secretary who works at the bank, knowing that she will provide useful information. 

Their plan seems perfect, but a minor slip-up creates a landslide of havoc.

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

      With the money in hand, the conspirators start to turn on Tierney. His family will no longer help him. He is on his own.

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney

      The man hunt is on... will he escape, return to prison, or fight until the end?

The Hoodlum. 1951: Lawrence Tierney