Sandwiched between the films he’s remembered for from his mid-1950s to mid-‘60s prime, Tony Curtis must have felt his long-running Universal contract was an albatross ‘round his neck, pulling him back for drek when he might have been shooting high-end fare like TRAPEZE/’56, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS/’57 or SOME LIKE IT HOT/’59 off the home lot. Not that everything at Universal was bad*, but almost. Like this poorly developed police procedural with Tony, a bit old as a junior cop, trying to work homicide after a local priest is murdered. Leaving the force when his superiors won’t listen to him, he plays new-to-town drifter so he can target mourner Gilbert Roland as his sole suspect. And what a cooperative fellow Roland turns out to be! Giving Tony a free meal at his little waterfront San Fran seafood eatery; then a job, a room in his home, even his daughter’s hand (Marisa Pavan)! Never suspecting the leading questions tossed his way are part of Tony’s informal investigation. What a shame, Roland seems to be a great guy, even has an airtight alibi. Or does he? (Don’t be surprised when he helps again by coughing up a confession.) Journeyman director Joseph Pevney phones it in, as does cinematographer Russell Metty. (You’d never guess he shot TOUCH OF EVIL for Orson Welles next year.) On this one, it’s like everyone wants to join Curtis and work anywhere but Universal.
WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK: *Curtis did luck into early Blake Edwards at Universal on OPERATION PETTICOAT/’59, luckier still with Edwards' little known/hard to find MISTER CORY/’57 made immediately before STORY. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2021/11/mister-corey-1957.html
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