#22 WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS
Det. Sgt. Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews) is a second generation cop. Inspector Foley (Robert F. Simon) tells him he’s received twelve more legitimate citizen complaints about Dixon's using excessive force while performing his duties. The next complaint will get him demoted. A possible reason for Dixon's zealousness is explained by his old man being on the take and he doesn't want anyone to think he's a chip off the old block. Dixon's ultimate goal of purging himselffrom the sins of his father is by taking down crime boss, Tony Scalise (Gary Merrill).
A man is murdered in a crap game run by Scalise. Dixon is prevented from ‘interrogating’ Scalise and instead sent to the apartment of Ken Paine, the man Scalise has fingered for the murder. Paine is drunk. A fight ensues and Paine (Craig Stevens), a war hero with a silver plate in his head is killed. Dixon drags the body out of the apartment and dumps it into the river. This puts Dixon’s Ahab like pursuit of Scalise at risk.
A man is murdered in a crap game run by Scalise. Dixon is prevented from ‘interrogating’ Scalise and instead sent to the apartment of Ken Paine, the man Scalise has fingered for the murder. Paine is drunk. A fight ensues and Paine (Craig Stevens), a war hero with a silver plate in his head is killed. Dixon drags the body out of the apartment and dumps it into the river. This puts Dixon’s Ahab like pursuit of Scalise at risk.
Where The Sidewalk Ends addresses in some part overly aggressive policing methods and the look the other way attitude taken by the police. Dixon had twelve legitimate complaints in the past month alone. How many illegitimate complaints did he have? And that’s only for one month! Dixon has been doing this for years. Yet while Foley admonishes Dixon for these tactics he later advises the new Lieutenant (Karl Malden) to ‘talk’ to a suspect the way Dixon would.
Dana Andrews always comes across as a likable, personable and trustworthy person. Those traits make it easy for his character to shield a darker side. It’s easy to forget, for example, in Fallen Angel, his character is a two timing louse. Dixon shows little remorse for killing Paine and dumping his body. His only concern is how it effects his pursuit of Scalise. This changes when the father (Tom Tully) of the woman he loves (Gene Tierney) is arrested for murder. It is when he is unable to hire a lawyer to defend him does his road to redemption begin.
I am partial to noirs where there is redemption or an attempt, of redemption by the protagonist. Policemen are often hounded by the shame brought on themselves, their family and their department when discovered to be on the take, or violating their oath to duty. This shame brings some to commit suicide. Dixon feels the only option to save Tierney’s Dad from jail, and himself from living a life of disgrace is to plan what appears to be a suicide mission. Through the use of his informant he arranges a meeting with Scalise and sends a letter to Foley explaining his actions. Dixon, unarmed and outnumbered, confronts Scalise throws a punch at him. He is shot once in the arm and about to be shot again, but Scalise stops him. Scalise says that’s what Dixon wants, and can’t figure out how someone could hate so much. Dixon’s hate for Scalise may be part of it, but Dixon’s self-hatred is greater. The capture of Scalise, and his own death are the only way he can erase what his father has done, and to make up for his own indiscretions on the force.
Dana Andrews always comes across as a likable, personable and trustworthy person. Those traits make it easy for his character to shield a darker side. It’s easy to forget, for example, in Fallen Angel, his character is a two timing louse. Dixon shows little remorse for killing Paine and dumping his body. His only concern is how it effects his pursuit of Scalise. This changes when the father (Tom Tully) of the woman he loves (Gene Tierney) is arrested for murder. It is when he is unable to hire a lawyer to defend him does his road to redemption begin.
I am partial to noirs where there is redemption or an attempt, of redemption by the protagonist. Policemen are often hounded by the shame brought on themselves, their family and their department when discovered to be on the take, or violating their oath to duty. This shame brings some to commit suicide. Dixon feels the only option to save Tierney’s Dad from jail, and himself from living a life of disgrace is to plan what appears to be a suicide mission. Through the use of his informant he arranges a meeting with Scalise and sends a letter to Foley explaining his actions. Dixon, unarmed and outnumbered, confronts Scalise throws a punch at him. He is shot once in the arm and about to be shot again, but Scalise stops him. Scalise says that’s what Dixon wants, and can’t figure out how someone could hate so much. Dixon’s hate for Scalise may be part of it, but Dixon’s self-hatred is greater. The capture of Scalise, and his own death are the only way he can erase what his father has done, and to make up for his own indiscretions on the force.
It is standard procedure in many of these films for the protagonist to pour out his heart and reveal why he is the way he is; usually a bad childhood, unjustly blamed for something,or simply being misunderstood. Films like, He Walked By Night and Gun Crazy are two exceptions. Preminger handles that nicely when Dixon succinctly explains in his letter he covered up the killing and cover up because he couldn’t shake loose from what he was (a dirty cop whose father was also a dirty cop) and now he’s going to shake loose. He does bring down Scalise but it is not until he stops Foley from tearing up his letter (unread) is his redemption complete.
Another big plus for the film’s ranking is it makes good use of the ‘peripheral characters.” Preminger gives each of them their own distinctive character and personality. There is the informer who double crosses Andrews to Scalise every chance he gets. Tom Taylor is Tierney’s father who was given a commendation for helping Dixon chase down a criminal and idolizes Dixon. Special kudos to Bert Freed. He played Paul Klein, Dixon's understanding put upon partner. You've probably seen him as police sergeants in, Detective Story, Invaders From Mars, and the French army sergeant in Paths of Glory. Bert Freed is one of the dependable supporting who always adds a little something, and sometimes more than just a little, to any movie.
While her character was not especially demanding or nuanced, Gene Tierney gives a good performance, and there is undeniable chemistry between her and Andrews. A very noirish touch is the old widowed lady (Grayce Mills) living in her basement apartment. She sits near the window, listening to her classical music with the world passing above.
Another big plus for the film’s ranking is it makes good use of the ‘peripheral characters.” Preminger gives each of them their own distinctive character and personality. There is the informer who double crosses Andrews to Scalise every chance he gets. Tom Taylor is Tierney’s father who was given a commendation for helping Dixon chase down a criminal and idolizes Dixon. Special kudos to Bert Freed. He played Paul Klein, Dixon's understanding put upon partner. You've probably seen him as police sergeants in, Detective Story, Invaders From Mars, and the French army sergeant in Paths of Glory. Bert Freed is one of the dependable supporting who always adds a little something, and sometimes more than just a little, to any movie.
While her character was not especially demanding or nuanced, Gene Tierney gives a good performance, and there is undeniable chemistry between her and Andrews. A very noirish touch is the old widowed lady (Grayce Mills) living in her basement apartment. She sits near the window, listening to her classical music with the world passing above.
An interesting bit is when Lieutenant Thomas (Karl Malden) perfectly recreates the scene of the killing. This is similar to Barton Keyes explaining how Mr. Dietrichson was murdered. Thomas and Keyes get every detail correct; except for identifying the killer.
Another note of interest is Preminger's subsequent decrease of violence in his films. It is most violent in the genteel world of Laura. In Fallen Angel Bickford threatens with a gun but the gun is grabbed and wrestled from him without a shot. For all the bluster of the mobsters and the earnestness of Dixon, their demise comes with them waiting helplessly trapped in a freight elevator for the police to arrest them.
This film, like Fallen Angel brings to mind the adage of a river being a mile wide and an inch deep. It’s a good movie. It is an enjoyable watch.
Another note of interest is Preminger's subsequent decrease of violence in his films. It is most violent in the genteel world of Laura. In Fallen Angel Bickford threatens with a gun but the gun is grabbed and wrestled from him without a shot. For all the bluster of the mobsters and the earnestness of Dixon, their demise comes with them waiting helplessly trapped in a freight elevator for the police to arrest them.
This film, like Fallen Angel brings to mind the adage of a river being a mile wide and an inch deep. It’s a good movie. It is an enjoyable watch.
