CODE TWO

US, 1953, 69 minutes, Black & white.
Elaine Stewart, Sally Forrest, Keenan Wynn, Robert Horton, James Craig, Jeff Richards, Robert Burton, William Campbell.
Directed by Fred M. Wilcox.

Code Two is an MGM supporting feature, very much of its time. It focuses on the bike police in Los Angeles in the early 1950s, almost semi-documentary presentation of their training, the interactions between the men themselves, going out on their work, the death of one of their colleagues, the discovery of a cattle-rustling gang and the central character going out by himself on detective work.

The strength of the film is in the cast, regulars at MGM. Ralph Meeker is the central arrogant young man who has to learn through the death of his friend and his going out to solve the mystery, that he finds himself and his vocation. There is a romantic tangle with Elaine Stewart. Robert Horton is more reliable material for the police, Sally Forrest his wife. Jeff Richards is the earnest young man, who is killed. The training staff include veterans Keenan Wynn and James Craig. A young William Campbell appears as a murderer.

The film is of interest because Fred M. Wilcox had directed Lassie Come Home and was to direct the classic Forbidden Planet.

1. A B-budget MGM film? Supporting feature? Topical? Los Angeles? The police?

2. Location photography and studio photography? Authentic city settings? The Californian countryside and roads? The musical score?

3. The title, indication of police work? The first part of the film and the training of the police, in detail?

4. The young men, Chuck, Russ, Harry? The bonds between them? Their different characters? The training? Chuck and his rebellious attitude? His heart not really being in his work? The conscientiousness of the other two? Chuck and his flirting with Jane? Jane and her friendship with Harry? The social life?

5. Jumbo Culdane, his keeping his eye on Chuck? Police Lieutenant Redmon? Their dealing with Chuck, with the others? When they are sent out on mission, supervision, permissions for investigations?

6. The motorcycle cops? On the road? In action?

7. The rustling gang? The cattle? The bikes? The confrontation with Harry, the brutality of his death? Chuck’s reaction? Going underground? Becoming part of the gang? Discovering the truth, the relationship with the men? The abattoirs? His being found out, the violence?

8. The portrait of the criminals, their brutality? The racket?

9. The working out of the case, Chuck getting the credit, the reaction of the authorities – and a future for him in the police force?

10. A morale-boosting police story for the early part of the 1950s?