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Panic in the Streets (1950)

Director: Elia Kazan

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From Time Out Film Guide

A classy thriller, much less laden with significance than most Kazan movies. Film noir and the Method go remarkably well together as the panic-stricken manhunt gets under way when a victim of a gangland killing is found to be riddled with pneumonic plague. Explicitly identified as rats to be exterminated, the menace - two killers (Palance, Mostel) who may be plague-carriers - is tracked through a pullulating garbage dump marvellously conjured out of some sweaty dockland locations in New Orleans. Some awkward psychologising early on about the police chief (Douglas) and his obstructive attitude as Widmark's Public Health Service officer tries to get things moving, otherwise it's all go, heightened realism, and first-rate performances.

Author: TM 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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Cast & crew

Director: Elia Kazan

Producer: Sol C Siegel

Cast: Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes, Jack Palance, Zero Mostel, Alexis Minotis full cast

Genre(s): Film Noir

Duration: 93 mins

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