THE TURNING POINT

US, 1952, 85 minutes, Black and white.
William Holden, Edmond O’ Brien, Alexis Smith, Tom Tully, Ed Begley, Neville Brand.
Directed by William Diertele.

The Turning Point is an interesting and well made crime thriller of the expose type. William Holden is good in the central role as the hard-bitten newspaper reporter - the style of role he was to repeat in Stalag 17 the next year for which he won an Oscar. Edmond O’ Brien has a good role as the crusading lawyer. The film is crisp and tough
in its dialogue, using the conventions of its genre very well. The film was directed by William Dieterle, who was noted for his biographical films of such people as Louis Pasteur And Emile Zola in the 30's.

1. An interesting and exciting thriller? Interest, themes, characters? American?

2. The tradition of the law and order gangster films? The conventions of character, dialogue? How well used here? A film of the early 50's? The stars? The crisp and tough presentation? How credible?

3. The basic situation of corruption in a city, the way that it was presented, audience presuppositions in judging it? The use of corruption and the investigation? The consequences of violence? The need for integrity? The universal and perennial appeal of these themes?

4. The film's focus on John Conroy, his arrival, the Press and his treatment of them, his background and study, his hopes, methods? The validity of Gerry's criticism about his naivety and innocence? The criticisms of Amanda and her society position and her help? John and his reliance on Amanda? His relationship with his father and his father's job with the inquiry? Conroy’s conduct of the inquiry, interrogations, evidence? The television presentation of the inquiry? An American good man and hero?

5. The contrast with Gerry as a type? William Holden's tough style in this performance? An alternate American hero? More ‘realistic’? His criticism of John and yet their background together and Gerry's friendliness with the family? His following his hunches about Matt, trying to protect John and the inquiry, being an indirect cause of Matt's death after his advice? The repercussions on his feelings and judgment? The clash with Amanda and yet the love? His fear of hurting Johnny? His skill at writing, people's appreciation of it? His decision to write the story about Matt and the effect on Johnny? The broadcasts for Carmelina and Gerry's meeting with her? His being the victim of the set-up in the stadium? The building of tension with his being in the eye of the assassin, his moving with the crowd? How expected was his death? The point being made in his dying for the cause? Johnny's quoting of Gerry's own words about the sacrifices needed?

6. Johnny and his ability to cope for example with his father's death, his father's guilt? The head office and the apartments and the people burnt to death? The pain of Gerry's death? His decision to face the truth and love with integrity?

7. Amanda as heroine? Personality, joining Johnny's cause and her explanation of his love for her, her fascination for Gerry, helping him in shadowing the people at the woman's apartment? Drawing out the truth from him about Matt? Her trying to save Gerry at the stadium? John and Amanda walking off together at the end?

8. The character of Matt, his place on the Police Force, the corrupt cop? his explanation of his need for money, the hold of the gangsters over him, their using of him, his reporting to them, the contacts and the way information was passed? His dilemma and his anger with Gerry, agreeing to his proposal, his being betrayed when the document was Photostatted? The ugliness of his death and the death of the assassin?

9. The trucking boss and his personality, Ed Begley's presence and style? As a character, his henchmen, his bravado, cruelty especially in letting people burn. his bluffing at the investigations? The irony of his being caught?

10. How realistic was the film, how credible? Having the audience on side? Themes of honesty and justice in 20th century cities and administration? A particularly American theme?