Richard Searches for the Plague

A dead body is discovered on a pier in New Orleans; the victim shot twice, making his death a clear-cut case of murder. But the medical examiner notices something odd, and calls in Public Health officer Dr. Clinton Reed (Richard Widmark). Reed determines the coroner's fears were justified - the victim Kochak (Lewis Charles) was suffering from pneumonic plague, and would have died within 24 hours - as will anyone he contaminated. Reed and Police Captain Warren (Paul Douglas) need to find the murderers before anyone else dies and there is a Panic in the Streets (1950).

This is a taut noir drama that doesn't waste any of its running time. With a strong cast, the film will keep you engaged til the very last moment. Richard Widmark is excellent as the Public Health Service officer who finds himself battling the clock - and the local police captain - I his attempt to locate men who are potentially carrying a virulent - and fatal - disease. He wasn't the first choice for the part - Dana Andrews was originally tagged for the role.

As good as Mr. Widmark is - and he is good - the film's power is intensified by a riveting performance by Jack Palance (here credited as Walter Jack Palance) as Blackie, the gangster who murdered Kolchak. Mr. Palance emanates an air of danger, yet we see him interacting with the local community on a friendly basis. It's clear from his performance that Blackie can turn on a dime, and woe to the person who crosses him. Even the advertising poster (above) has Blackie as the dominant image - though Mr. Palance’s name does not even appear on the ad. This was Mr. Palance's first screen appearance (AFI Catalog) - he'd already done two television shows - and he makes an impressive debut. He would continue in television and films until 2004, winning an Academy Award for Supporting Actor for his performance in City Slickers (1991) (you can view his amusing acceptance speech here. He was 73 years old at the time).

It's always good to see Barbara Bel Geddes (Nancy Reed) in anything, and we wished she had more screen time (though, frankly, the film is not about her). Nancy provides a sounding board for Clinton; she allows him to vent his frustrations both about his job - which he clearly loves - and about the current investigation. (Linda Darnell was the person first cast as Nancy). 

We were impressed by the mature dialogue between the husband and wife (a couple discussing their choices regarding the expansion of their family), and by the equality in the marriage. The screenplay was based on a story by Edward and Edna Anhalt; we wondered if Ms. Bel Geddes dialogue was written by Ms. Anhalt, because Nancy sounds like a woman - not a man talking with a woman's voice (the Anhalt's won the 1950 Oscar for best story).

Paul Douglas acts as Mr. Widmark's foil, a police detective who initially resents being posted on what he sees as an impossible - and seemingly ridiculous quest to find a murderer who might have a disease. It's not until he sees the effects of the plague - and begins to understand Dr. Reed's determination to stop its progress - that he becomes a true partner in the search for Blackie and his cohorts. Mr. Douglas is always a strong presence in any film, and does not disappoint here.

There are a two secondary players that are worth noting. Tommy Rettig of Lassie fame plays the Reed's son, Tommy. It's a small part, but instrumental in showing the family side of Clinton Reed. His genuine love and interest in his son provide insight into his belief in his family. In his second film role, Zero Mostel plays Fitch, one of Blackie's minions. The character is a rather repulsive little man, and honestly fades into the background. In his autobiography, Elia Kazan: A Life, Mr. Kazan claimed that he employed Mr. Mostel in spite of his being blacklisted. It didn't help - by 1952 Mr. Mostel was blacklisted completely and didn't work on television or film until 1959 (of course, Mr. Kazan would later name names, ensuring the safety of his own career (Los Angeles Times)). Mr. Mostel returned to New York and the theatre, and would eventually win three Tony Awards).

One character is not listed in the credits - Cleaver, the mortuary attendant who discovers the disease. It's a small role, but we were impressed by the professionalism of the man.  IMDB says that the part is a cameo by director Kazan, but he really looks nothing like Kazan - this actor is a much bigger, and frankly, better looking man.  I'd love to find out who played the part.

The City of New Orleans is also a character in the film, but it's not the New Orleans of Edna Ferber or Frances Parkington Keyes. This is a city of immigrants and of poverty. We see the docks and the underworld; none of the historic beauty of the French Quarter is visible in this film (TCM article).

The story was redone as a Lux Radio Theatre in March 1951, with Richard Widmark and Paul Douglas reprising their roles. The New York Times review was mostly positive, calling it "a generally gripping entertainment."  We believe it's a film that will keep you watching til the very end.  Here's a trailer to whet your appetite: