CROSSFIRE (1947)

[Classic Movie Man]

Psychological depths are sounded, though not deeply: the murder victim is a Jew, the murderer an anti-Semite. (The depths in the original novel, The Brick Foxhole, by Richard Brooks were a little different: the victim was a homosexual.) This tense, well-acted thriller was made by the producer Adrian Scott, the director Edward Dmytryk, and the writer John Paxton. Robert Ryan brings his considerable talent for portraying obsessive, isolated individuals to the role of the sly, anti-Semitic ex-sergeant. With Robert Mitchum, Gloria Grahame, Robert Young, Sam Levene, and Paul Kelly. There are condescending little messages on the evils of race prejudice that make you squirm; this is the patina of 40s melodrama. RKO.
(Pauline Kael review)

CMM : Good movie if a little hysterical and unsubtle : Robert Young delivers a good speech about the dangers of hatred and Ryan is excellent though it appears a bit obvious he is the culprit. (3 out of 5)

[markbeckuaf]

I like this one a bit more than you did, I'd say 4.5 of 5. It has a few weaker moments, but generally I liked the combination of dark, usually amoral noir, conventions together with a moralistic storyline. Robert Young, who isn't always a favourite of mine, makes this work, while Ryan is his doppleganger, and Mitch just kind of hangs in to keep that nonchalant mood going while all the passion rages around. Fine acting for the most part, and the bit with Gloria Grahame and Paul Kelly was priceless!

Mark