The Turning Point [Blu-ray]

Director: William Dieterle William Dieterle

Overview

Edmond O'Brien stars as an idealistic state's attorney assigned to crack down on a crime syndicate. This proves more dangerous than first suspected, since the syndicate has a number of city officials in its pocket--including the father of one of the investigating committee's chairpersons. William Holden is the crusading newspaperman who attempts to help O'Brien, but even his efforts are compromised by deeply entrenched political corruption. The climax is staged at a crowded boxing arena, where Holden is struck down by an assassin's bullet intended for O'Brien. Inspired by the real-life Senate investigations of 1951, The Turning Point is neither a remake of a 1917 Paramount silent of the same name, nor was the 1977 ballet-oriented Turning Point a remake of the 1952 film.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2022
UPC:	0738329260347
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	7,924

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

William Holden	Jerry McKibbon
Edmond O'Brien	John Conroy
Alexis Smith	Amanda Waycross
Tom Tully	Matt Conroy
Ed Begley	Eichelberger
Dan Dayton	Ackerman,Roy Ackerman
Adele Longmire	Carmelina
Ray Teal	Clint
Ted de Corsia	Harrigan
Don Porter	Joe Silbray
Howard Freeman	Fogel
Neville Brand	Red
Peter Baldwin	Boy
Judith Ames	Girl
Mary Murphy	Secretary
Leonard George	Lefty
Ben Cameron	Gates
Russell Johnson	Herman
Leonard Bremen	Doc
Eugene White	Pinky
Buddy Sullivan	Reporter
Robert Rockwell	Reporter
Joel Marston	Reporter
George Ford	Policeman
Charles Sherlock	Policeman
Lee Phelps	Policeman
Chalky Williams	Policeman
George Dempsey	Policeman
Charles Campbell	Cameraman
Albin Robeling	Waiter
Jean Ransome	Maid
Gretchen Hale	Mrs. Conroy
Grace Hayle	Mrs. Martin
Ruth Packard	Woman
Hazel Boyne	Woman
Carolyn Jones	Woman
Whit Bissell	Buck
Harry Hines	Maintenance Man
Franz Roehn	Cashier
Tony Barr	Garcia
Tom Moore	Drugstore Proprietor
Jamesson Shade	Staff Member
Jerry James	Man
John Maxwell	Ed
Soledad Jiminez	Mrs. Manzinates
Diane Garret	Woman at Detroit Joint
Ralph Sanford	Harry
Ralph Montgomery	Driver
Jay Adler	Sammy
Diane Garrett	Woman
Russ Conway	Reporter

Technical Credits

Warren Duff

Irving Asher	Producer
William Dieterle	Director
Farciot Edouart	Special Effects
Gordon Jennings	Special Effects
Warren Duff	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

One of several good but undistinguished films that William Holden made between Sunset Boulevard and Stalag 17, The Turning Point is a fairly typical 1950s film noir, enlivened somewhat by its McCarthy-era setting. Unfortunately, Warren B. Duff's screenplay doesn't take advantage of this aspect of the story, settling instead for a fairly routine crime story with less than sparkling dialogue. William Dieterle's direction is also fairly routine, although both the direction and screenplay come alive during the big fire scene. The cast, including Holden and Alexis Smith, is solid, but nothing more, with one exception. That exception is Ed Begley, whose delicious villain has a fire and a life that the rest of the film lacks. This does tend to throw things a bit out of whack -- after all, we're not supposed to root for the bad guy -- but it's hard to resist Begley's fascinating turn. Turning Point is certainly enjoyable, but it's only when Begley is onscreen that it becomes anything more.