Detective Story (1951)
First screened in Summer 1998 / Most recently screened in October 2007
Director: William Wyler. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Horace McMahon, Craig Hill, Cathy O'Donnell, Lee Grant, George Macready, Warner Anderson, Joseph Wiseman, Michael Strong. Screenplay: Philip Yordan and Robert Wyler (based on the play by Sidney Kingsley).

Twitter Capsule: Way down the Wyler list for me. Obvious themes, episodic plot. Grant fussy, Parker dull. Bendix is the quiet MVP.

VOR:   Has its admirers, but compared to Streetcar or even Salesman its same year, this is basically "filmed theater." Parker-Macready plotline its riskiest element, but palpably softened.



Photo © 1951 Paramount Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B–


Academy Award Nominations:
Best Director: William Wyler
Best Actress: Eleanor Parker
Best Supporting Actress: Lee Grant
Best Screenplay: Philip Yordan and Robert Wyler

Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Actor (Drama): Kirk Douglas
Best Supporting Actress: Lee Grant

Other Awards:
Cannes Film Festival: Best Actress (Grant)

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