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Shield for Murder

Play trailer Poster for Shield for Murder 1954 1h 20m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Corrupt cop Barney Nolan (Edmond O'Brien) is hard up for cash, so he shoots a bookie, relieves him of $25,000 and makes it look like an accident. Unbeknownst to Nolan, however, the entire episode is witnessed by a deaf-mute from across the street. While Nolan struggles to keep the crime a secret from his girlfriend, Patty Winters (Marla English), a series of loose ends pop up, and Nolan soon learns that, although committing a crime is easy, getting away with it is murder.

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It punctures a lot of the idyllic dreams about living in suburbia. Rated: B Sep 8, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
nick s Quite a worthwhile noir with a good twist Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Audience Member Clumsy and often sappy police drama, somewhat noir-ish, about a murderous cop. Directed and starring O'Brien, who should have concentrated on one or the other. The final 10 minutes are worthwhile with a car chase and a couple shootouts, in a high school gym and among some model homes. Certainly unusual. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member ***Spoilers Ahead, Most Definitely*** I'm not into Film Noir flicks so I wasn't really expecting all that much out of Shield For Murder but it turned out alright.The things that stick out most for me in the movie are Edmond O' Brien (Of course) as the corrupt cop Detective Lt. Barney Nolan (What a GREAT name) I've probably seen a few other movies that Edmond O' Brien has been in but never really paid attention that he was in it.That's going to change.The spaghetti dinner scene (I don't know what else to call it) was brutal.I can see a scene done like that today but with blood & brains splattered all over the table.Sorry if I've grossed anybody out but that's the way movies are done nowadays.They go for the shock factor instead of trying to make you think.I like the way the scene was done because like I said if a scene was shot like that today, it would've been gory & you would've actually seen the beating take place.In the movie you saw just enough to know what's happening & the screams & looks of horror on the diners faces was the perfect touch.The shootout at the pool was something way different that I haven't seen until I watched Shield For Murder.It's the 1st time I've seen something done like that & haven't seen it done in any other movie.The final scene where Nolan used his police tactics to try & escape from the police who were looking for him.Going into the police station & stealing a uniform, calling into the police station to find out what information they had on him, etc, etc, etc.Lastly, the end scene where Nolan was killed right in front of the model home he planned on buying.I would have to say Shield For Murder is worth taking a look at if you are a fan of Film Noir or enjoy crime movies like I do Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review ashley h Shield for Murder is an intriguing film. It is about a corrupt police officer looks to escape justice. Edmund O'Brien and John Agar give excellent performances. The screenplay is well written. Howard W. Koch did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and mystery. Shield for Murder is a must see. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member year s/b 1954 not 2003 Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member The heat is on "the heat" in this hard-boiled 'B'--Good cop goes Sour!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shield for Murder

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Corrupt cop Barney Nolan (Edmond O'Brien) is hard up for cash, so he shoots a bookie, relieves him of $25,000 and makes it look like an accident. Unbeknownst to Nolan, however, the entire episode is witnessed by a deaf-mute from across the street. While Nolan struggles to keep the crime a secret from his girlfriend, Patty Winters (Marla English), a series of loose ends pop up, and Nolan soon learns that, although committing a crime is easy, getting away with it is murder.
Director
Edmond O'Brien, Howard W. Koch
Producer
Aubrey Schenck
Screenwriter
Richard Alan Simmons, John C. Higgins
Production Co
Camden Productions, Inc.
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 20m