A witness against the mobster Benjamin Costain (Lorne Greene) is assassinated on the steps of the courthouse. Prosecutor Lloyd Hallett (Edward G. Robinson) needs inmate Sherry Conley (Ginger Rogers) to be the new witness as a last resort but she has a policy of not volunteering. Vince Striker (Brian Keith) leads her police protection.
Rogers has great sass attitude and a desperate lowlife sensibilities. It's very her especially with her short hair do. She's great. It's her best acting job. The high point is her reunion with her sister. It's a small little noir with great desperation. There is a modernity to this reality.
Tight Spot
1955
Action / Crime / Drama / Film-Noir / Thriller
Tight Spot
1955
Action / Crime / Drama / Film-Noir / Thriller
Plot summary
A former model, serving time in prison, becomes a key witness in a trial against a notorious gangster. She is put under protective watch by the District Attorney in a posh hotel, but the crime kingpin makes attempts to get to her. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. in 1997.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
February 23, 2021 at 08:04 PM
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best of Ginger
Another "heart of gold" moll
Ginger Rogers, who was usually more glamorous in her movie roles, invades territory normally occupied by Claire Trevor or Veda Ann Borg. She's a good time gal who happens to be on a pleasure cruise with mob boss Lorne Greene and Greene has smuggled another gangster into the country. U.S. Attorney Edward G. Robinson is seeking to deport Greene.
Greene's enemies have a habit of ending up dead. And our story begins with conflicted cop Brian Keith assigned to protect Ginger as Robinson tries to convince her to testify.
Rogers's career was on the downside here, but she's still a dynamite presence on the screen. Robinson and Keith are solid here and who would have thunk of Ben Cartright as a mobster.
Nice film, tightly edited, not a wasted frame in it.
Co-starring Brian Keith as VINCE STRIKER!
From the play "Dead Pigeon" comes this overwrought confection with Ginger Rogers chewing the scenery as wisecracking jailbird sprung from the pokey by police so she can testify against ruthless mobster at a high-profile murder trial. Talky, slightly claustrophobic piece really needs Ginger's overacting to kick it into gear; she looks great in a short, ducktail bob, and manages to create real sparks with the actress portraying her selfish sister (it's the best scene in the movie). Brian Keith is appealing in his modest, aw-shucks way as troubled cop Vince Striker (great character name); Katherine Anderson also fine as a prison matron. So-so film benefits from star-appeal. **1/2 from ****