The film takes place within a several hour period of one day at a New York City police precinct, mostly focusing on one particular detective---Sgt. Jim McLeod (Kirk Douglas), an angry, hard-nosed man who believes there are no gray areas, only black and white. Completely intolerant of criminals, McLeod does not believe in softness or in turning the other cheek, and he often behaves violently toward law-breakers in order to force a confession from them.
On this particular day, Sgt. McLeod is obsessed with getting the goods on one Dr. Carl Schneider---no matter what it takes, Jim intends to see the doctor convicted and put into the electric chair. Although he doesn't realize it, Jim's vendetta against the doctor will have a very real and personal effect on his relationship with his wife, Mary (Eleanor Parker). (So as not to give any of the plot away, I won't say anything more about that particular storyline.)
In addition to Dr. Schneider, several other lawbreakers are brought into the precinct. There's a shoplifter (played by Lee Grant, in her Oscar-nominated film debut)
a pair of hoods charged with armed robbery,
and Arthur, a previously-trustworthy young man who has stolen from his employer. Although the fatherly Sgt. Brody (William Bendix) believes Arthur is really a good boy and can be shown leniency, McLeod doesn't believe in leniency and intends to throw the book at him. How all these stories play out is the balance of the film. (The trailer gives a bit too much away, so if you don't want any spoilers, don't watch it.)
Everything about Detective Story merits 5 stars...the acting, the cinematography, the direction, the bold (for its time) subject matter. While I would not call myself a Kirk Douglas fan (and am not all that familiar with his work), I have to say that he was completely and totally fantastic in this film. Quite honestly, this was his show...and he carried it brilliantly. I was shocked to discover that he didn't even garner an Academy Award nomination for his work here. (However, I have long thought The Academy got the 1951 awards wrong and that Montgomery Clift ought to have won for his work in A Place in the Sun. While I still think that, I do believe Kirk Douglas deserved a nomination and that he would have given Mr. Clift a run for his money.) Mr. Douglas is totally sensational in this film.
Though Douglas didn't receive Academy Award recognition here, the film did receive four nominations---Best Director (Wyler), Best Supporting Actress (Lee Grant), Best Writing, and Best Actress (Eleanor Parker). For the second year in a row, Miss Parker received a Best Actress nomination, and while she is quite good here, the reality is, as I have stated, this is first and foremost Kirk Douglas's vehicle.
Cathy O'Donnell, of Ben-Hur (Tirzah) and The Best Years of Our Lives (Wilma) fame, portrays Arthur's love interest. She is her usual sweet, gentle self.
Just FYI, Miss O'Donnell was the sister-in-law of William Wyler. For 22 long, happy years (until death claimed her), she was married to the director's older brother, Robert.
The ending of the film is rather shocking...I definitely didn't expect things to work out the way they did. While I like predictable, sometimes the unexpected quite adds to a film's credibility, which it definitely did in Detective Story.
Finally, just have to say, this is one of those films which absolutely MUST be looked at through the lens of its time, otherwise it will seem laughable. The situation over which Kirk Douglas's character agonizes is something that society doesn't care about anymore. Most people will look at his character's response and think, "Who cares. Why make a big deal out of that?" So, definitely, put on your early 1950's mind when you watch this film.
To my knowledge, Detective Story is not out on DVD, nor is it often on the TCM schedule. I have been looking for this film for a couple years, and I finally tracked it down on YouTube a few months ago (put off watching it until now). It's in 11 parts, but it's there nonetheless. (The first part was a little difficult to find, so HERE is the link to it.) I am definitely hoping TCM puts this amazing movie on the schedule soon, so I can record it and have it as part of my collection. Kirk Douglas fans won't want to miss this film.
Happy viewing!!
