ROGUE COP
US, 1954, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, George Raft, Steve Forrest, Anne Francis, Alan Hale Jr, Vince Edwards.
Directed by Roy Rowland.
Rogue Cop is a belated entry in the film noir genre. Unexpectedly, Robert Taylor portrays a crooked policeman who has a brother, also a policeman, who is incorruptible, Steve Forrest. When the younger brother witnesses a murder, he becomes the target of a gangster, played in his usual way by George Raft. The criminals try to buy off the corrupt policeman. However, he does become entangled with them but tries to protect his brother. Also in the picture is the younger brother’s girlfriend, a singer who is the former girlfriend of a Florida gangster. She is played by Janet Leigh. Also in the picture is George Raft’s girlfriend, played by Anne Francis. The film has a very strong cast including Alan Hale Jr and an interesting presentation of the Catholic priest by Anthony Ross.
The film is based on a novel by William P. Mc Givern, author of Shield for Murder and The Big Heat which were also filmed at this time. The writer is Sydney Boehm, writer of a number of crime thrillers including Side Street, Mystery Street, The Big Heat and Black Tuesday.
1. A police thriller? Gangster thriller? Film noir in the 1950s? The overtones of George Raft in gangster films of the 1930s? The film given MGM gloss in the 1950s?
2. Black and white photography, the city, the tough streets, the precincts, arcades and drug dealing, the apartments? A rough world?
3. The absence of a major musical score, the music from different sources like radio, clubs, to give a background?
4. The title, the focus on Chris Kelvaney? His possible redemption?
5. The set-up: the drugs, the dealers, the customers and their caution, the arcade, the booth, the murder? Threats? Eddie Kelvaney and his being on duty, the parked car, the ticket? The driver going off? Discovering the body? His ability to identify the killer? Chris and his help?
6. Chris, older, playing cards with the police, winning the money, the hints at his corruption? His discussions with the authorities? The connection with Beaumonte? His knowing that Fallon was the killer? The deals, the warnings? His later clash with Beaumonte? The forty-eight hours to save Eddie?
7. The bonds between Chris and Eddie, the background of their father and his police work? Chris and his decision to take money? The gangster connections? Eddie as a good man, his relationship with Karen, his hopes? Eddie not giving in to the pressures, the blackmail, the promise of money? The clash between the two brothers? The impact of his death?
8. Chris, the meetings with Karen, no illusions, knowing her past, the filling in of her story? His urging her to support Eddie? The kiss and her reaction, his reaction? The plea, the apology? The impact of Eddie’s death on Karen? Chris wanting to help Nancy, Karen taking her in?
9. George Raft as Beaumonte, tough, the clashes, his fellow gangsters, his kingdom, getting the killer, offering the money, ruthless concerning Eddie? Discarding Nancy?
10. Nancy, her being used, her drinking, the clash with Beaumonte, her being ousted, Chris helping her, taking her to Karen, Karen and her help, sympathy? Her being murdered?
11. The role of the priest, talking with Chris? Anointing Eddie, the funeral, his advice, the background of Gospel teaching?
12. Chris, the authorities, their knowing the truth about him, his motives, his taking it on himself to find the killer? Tracking him down, the confrontation?
13. The other police, the authorities, the clean cop, following Chris, the shootouts, Chris being wounded? Karen? The possibility of some kind of change for Chris, redemption?
