Event

CRIME IN THE STREETS

CRIME IN THE STREETS / Dir. Don Siegel / 1956 / USA / 91 min. / 16mm
Long before the days of "reality" TV and the other pieces of trash that fill our living rooms today,
television offered truly well-written and entertaining fare, much of it filmed live! One incredible
example is the rarely-seen Crime in the Streets, a stage-performance, non-musical cross between West
Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause. Frankie Dane (John Cassavetes in his first role) is the leader of
the Hornets, a street gang that has had its rumbles and troubles with the police. When one of the gang's
members is fingered for having a gun, Frankie vows revenge! Two of Frankie's fellow Hornets are
willing to go along, but the rest of the gang draws the line at murder. Social worker Ben Wagner
(James Whitmore) has been reaching out to the Hornets and becomes extremely concerned when
Frankie's younger brother says he thinks Frankie is going to kill someone. A battle of wills ensues in
this gripping tale as Frankie tries to hold his plan together and resist Wagner's efforts to intercede.
I.talia / Ramblin' Jacks / Mercato