ON DANGEROUS GROUND

US, 1951,82 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Ryan, Ida Lupino, Ward Bond, Ed Begley, Cleo Moore.
Directed by Nicholas Ray.

On Dangerous Ground is a brief thriller directed by Nicholas Ray. Ray made great impact with his first film, a Bonnie and Clyde-type story, They Live By Night. Other films of this time include Knock on Any Door, The Flying Leathernecks. Ray's reputation was to increase in the '60s and '70s. Admirer, German director Wim Wenders, made a documentary biography study called Lightning Over Water. It focused on screenings of one of Ray's most celebrated film, The Lusty Men.

This film has a competent cast, was produced by John Houseman, a producer with style. It is not particularly new - but done with flair.

1. An entertaining thriller? The touches of the black thriller? A drama of the '50s?

2. Production values: black and white photography, atmosphere of they city, the lonely towns, offbeat American scenery? The competent cast? Musical score and atmosphere? Style - especially with the blond character - and the suggestions of his experience?

3. The title - referring to Wilson, to Mary, to Danny? The locations and the climax - literal dangerous ground?

4. Robert Ryan's portrait of the tough police detective, his seeming brutalisation? His antagonism towards criminals? His harsh handling of people? The clash with superiors? His having to be moved out of the city? The prospect of the crime? Brent and his reaction to his daughter's death? His being resented by Brent? The sighting of the killer, the pursuit, the encounter with Mary? The discovery of Danny, his mental condition, relationship with Mary? Wilson softening because of Mary? Concern about Danny? Danny running away and dying? Wilson's reaction, Mary's blaming him? Trying to persuade her of the truth? His return to her and their dependence?

5. Mary and her blindness, the encounter with Wilson? Her care for her brother? Her explaining the situation to Wilson? Persuading him? Her reaction to Danny's death? Love for him, belief in him?

6. Brent and his suffering because of his daughter's death, his desire for vengeance, the reaction against Wilson? The search? The crashing of the cars, the farmhouse? Brent searching, the truth? His frightening Danny and causing his death?

7. The portrait of Danny, his mental condition, the death of the little girl, his responsibility. running away. dependence on Mary. the treatment by Wilson, the surprise when Brent appeared?

8. The minor characters - the police. the hard work, treatment of prisoners. superior officers worrying about their men? The country town? Support and sympathy for the bereaved father? The search for the murderer?

9. Themes of police work, brutalisation, the humanising of the policeman? The offbeat romance? Dependence?