Crime in the Streets

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Crime in the Streets

1956

1h 31m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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5 Reviews

39%

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50+ Ratings

A social worker (James Whitmore) tries to reach a street-gang leader (John Cassavetes) who plans to kill a man over a slap.

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

The film is built around long takes of tightly composed performances, culminating in a bravura four-minute shot with entrances and exits brilliantly orchestrated by the commanding presence of Cassavetes.

May 3, 2013

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Siegel manages to keep the action wound pretty tight, though he doesn't seem to sympathize much with Rose's bleeding-heart liberalism.

Apr 30, 2005

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Janet Graves

Photoplay

The well-worn subject of juvenile delinquency here is freshened up by an honest approach and strong acting.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2022

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Depends heavily on Cassavetes' intensity and Siegel's brutality to make it work.

Jul 16, 2010

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A lively and intense melodrama about a youth gang hanging out in the mean city streets.

Rated: B

Apr 25, 2005

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Myron B

This movie was disgusting.. Especially how he treated us kid brother telling him he would kill him and talking to his mother like that. Pure garbage.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

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S R

Not a bad try of a West Side Story without the music. I just wasn't a fan of the cast and the melodrama. Saw on TCM.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

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Jeff S

John Cassavetes is especially good in this drama about violent youth who have been broken by life events and are misunderstood by the adults in their lives.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

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Linda J

I am surprised by the low audience rating on this movie. They just showed in on TCM, and I stumbled upon it. I was captivated by it -- largely because of the powerful acting and the dialogue. Seems like it was a precursor to West Side Story -- lots of similarities. This is definitely worth the time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

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Audience Member

Less a film than a filmed theatrical play (it is based on television play), this Don Seigal movie disappointed me. Sam Leavitt's cinematography, though, is reason enough to screen and re-screen, plus performances by Peter J. Votrian and Virginia Gregg are commendable. But, I saw nothing remarkable in John Cassavetes acting and found the movie stale in its storytelling.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

Before Don Siegel did crime classics like Dirty Harry, he was Donald Siegel and he did some crime thrillers. This one was pretty solid, with uneven monologues from juvenile delinquents and the people trying to set them on the straight path. The movie is mostly build up, but it does have an emotionally satisfying ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Don Siegel

Director

John Cassavetes

Frankie Dane

James Whitmore

Ben Wagner

Sal Mineo

Angelo "Baby" Gioia

Mark Rydell

Lou Macklin

Denise Alexander

Maria Gioia

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Synopsis

A social worker (James Whitmore) tries to reach a street-gang leader (John Cassavetes) who plans to kill a man over a slap.

Director: Don Siegel
Producer: Vincent M. Fennelly
Production Co: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 31m