"Side Street" offers a mixed bag of elements, but the character of Joe Norson, portrayed by Farley Granger, is one of its drawbacks. It can be challenging to connect with a protagonist who comes across as pathetic and lacking agency.
Joe is a part-time letter carrier in New York City, struggling financially and residing with his in-laws and his wife Ellen (Cathy O'Donnell) in a cramped tenement apartment. The impending birth of their child pushes Joe to make a foolish decision. After stumbling upon $200 in the office of crooked attorney Victor Backett (Edmon Ryan), left there by his accomplice George Garsell (James Craig), Joe impulsively steals what he believes to be that amount.
However, the stolen cash turns out to be a substantial $30,000 (equivalent to $354K today), obtained through blackmailing a wealthy broker. When Garsell murders the woman involved in the scandal, Joe finds himself caught up in a dangerous situation beyond his control.
To compound matters, Joe leaves the money with a local bartender acquaintance and concocts a lie to Ellen about a job offer upstate. Joe's misguided plan is to return the cash to Backett and request him not to press charges. Unsurprisingly, Backett suspects a trap and feigns ignorance about the money, dispatching Garsell to tail Joe. Eventually, Garsell forces Joe to reveal the location of the money by intimidating him.
As others have rightly pointed out, Joe's choices are baffling. Why didn't he keep the money for himself or anonymously return it to Backett if his conscience troubled him? Instead, he sets off a chain of increasingly perilous events, putting his and Ellen's lives in jeopardy.
The suspense heightens as Joe embarks on a quest to retrieve the money, only to discover that the bartender has been murdered by Garsell. Later, Garsell's girlfriend, the captivating femme fatale Harriet Sinton (Jean Hagen), leads Joe back to Garsell, who kidnaps him after killing Harriet.
"Side Street" culminates in a thrilling car chase through the streets of lower Manhattan, serving as the film's most exciting segment. James Craig delivers a standout performance as the murderous Garsell, stealing the spotlight from the leads, Granger and O'Donnell, who are hampered by underdeveloped roles-particularly O'Donnell, who is given little to work with as the long-suffering wife.
The inclusion of a perfunctory narrator at the end, assuring the audience that Joe will be "alright" after his arrest, leaves room for skepticism. It's unclear how the police determined his innocence in the murder of the bartender, given the circumstantial evidence against him. Moreover, Joe's crimes should be considered more than mere misdemeanors, as the sum he stole amounted to a felonious grand larceny.
Despite its flaws, "Side Street" does offer striking cinematography that provides a captivating glimpse into how New York City appeared in 1950. This visual aspect remains one of the film's strongest reasons for viewing.
"Side Street" presents a mix of engaging and frustrating elements. While it falters in certain areas, such as character development and plot choices, the film's cinematography and James Craig's standout performance contribute to moments of excitement and intrigue.
Joe is a part-time letter carrier in New York City, struggling financially and residing with his in-laws and his wife Ellen (Cathy O'Donnell) in a cramped tenement apartment. The impending birth of their child pushes Joe to make a foolish decision. After stumbling upon $200 in the office of crooked attorney Victor Backett (Edmon Ryan), left there by his accomplice George Garsell (James Craig), Joe impulsively steals what he believes to be that amount.
However, the stolen cash turns out to be a substantial $30,000 (equivalent to $354K today), obtained through blackmailing a wealthy broker. When Garsell murders the woman involved in the scandal, Joe finds himself caught up in a dangerous situation beyond his control.
To compound matters, Joe leaves the money with a local bartender acquaintance and concocts a lie to Ellen about a job offer upstate. Joe's misguided plan is to return the cash to Backett and request him not to press charges. Unsurprisingly, Backett suspects a trap and feigns ignorance about the money, dispatching Garsell to tail Joe. Eventually, Garsell forces Joe to reveal the location of the money by intimidating him.
As others have rightly pointed out, Joe's choices are baffling. Why didn't he keep the money for himself or anonymously return it to Backett if his conscience troubled him? Instead, he sets off a chain of increasingly perilous events, putting his and Ellen's lives in jeopardy.
The suspense heightens as Joe embarks on a quest to retrieve the money, only to discover that the bartender has been murdered by Garsell. Later, Garsell's girlfriend, the captivating femme fatale Harriet Sinton (Jean Hagen), leads Joe back to Garsell, who kidnaps him after killing Harriet.
"Side Street" culminates in a thrilling car chase through the streets of lower Manhattan, serving as the film's most exciting segment. James Craig delivers a standout performance as the murderous Garsell, stealing the spotlight from the leads, Granger and O'Donnell, who are hampered by underdeveloped roles-particularly O'Donnell, who is given little to work with as the long-suffering wife.
The inclusion of a perfunctory narrator at the end, assuring the audience that Joe will be "alright" after his arrest, leaves room for skepticism. It's unclear how the police determined his innocence in the murder of the bartender, given the circumstantial evidence against him. Moreover, Joe's crimes should be considered more than mere misdemeanors, as the sum he stole amounted to a felonious grand larceny.
Despite its flaws, "Side Street" does offer striking cinematography that provides a captivating glimpse into how New York City appeared in 1950. This visual aspect remains one of the film's strongest reasons for viewing.
"Side Street" presents a mix of engaging and frustrating elements. While it falters in certain areas, such as character development and plot choices, the film's cinematography and James Craig's standout performance contribute to moments of excitement and intrigue.