The highly recommended THE TURNING POINT (1952) was just released in an excellent Blu-ray print by
Kino Lorber.
I've seen THE TURNING POINT three times in the last decade or so, initially streaming via Netflix in early
2013 and then at the 2018
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival. The Netflix print was watchable but soft, while the Lyons Festival showed a restored digital print.
I'm happy to say that this Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-ray looks and sounds outstanding. It's a remastered HD print from Paramount Pictures, using a 4K scan of 35mm elements. It's a great pleasure to watch this film looking so good, especially when I reflect back on my very first viewing.
The great
Edmond O'Brien plays John Conroy, a special prosecutor going after an organized crime syndicate headed by Neil Eichelberger (Ed Begley Sr.).
Conroy is aided by reporter Jerry McKibbon (William Holden), a childhood friend. The men like and respect one another, but complications ensue when McKibbon realizes that Conroy's cop father (Tom Tully) has been on the take from the mob, and things become even more tense when Conroy's girlfriend/assistant Amanda (Alexis Smith) falls for Jerry.
Within the confines of the familiar police and press versus the mob story, the film manages to be unpredictable. Jerry and Amanda bristle when they first meet, with Jerry putting down the wealthy Amanda as a dilettante; only later do we -- and they -- realize their antagonism was an attempt to hide their instant attraction.
The script by Warren Duff, from a story by Horace McCoy, occasionally saddles McKibbon with high-falutin' speeches which get slightly too precious, but otherwise the scripting is excellent. I appreciated that the development of the love triangle is relatively subtle and matter-of-fact, and likewise the film's tough ending packs a punch without being melodramatically milked for maxium emotional pull.
Eichelberger casually committing arson in order to destroy documents under subpoena is truly shocking; he believes he won't be suspected because no one would burn down a building filled with innocent people. O'Brien's response to what he's seen after the fire is memorable.
Although O'Brien describes the setting as a "fine midwestern city," one of the film's greatest assets is its extensive location filming in Los Angeles, including Bunker Hill and
Angels Flight Railway.
Lionel Lindon's black and white photography provides a great peek into the past, especially for Southern Californians.
It's a well-paced 85 minutes directed by William Dieterle; if anything, it ends a tad too abruptly. The excellent supporting cast includes Ray Teal, Neville Brand, Carolyn Jones, Ted de Corsia, Adele Longmire, Whit Bissell, Russell Johnson, and John Maxwell.
Blu-ray extras consist of the trailer; a gallery of seven additional trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber; and a commentary by Alan K. Rode which I'm looking forward to checking out.
I've appreciated this film more on each successive viewing and very much recommend this Blu-ray release.
Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.
The highly recommended THE TURNING POINT (1952) was just released in an excellent Blu-ray print by Kino Lorber.
4 Comments:
I know some people have a problem with the film's ending, but I do not. It is perfect and describing Edmond O'Brien's work and career as great is not at all inappropriate. It is and is.
Hi Barry,
I did have trouble with the ending on my first viewing and noted same in that original review, but as I've gotten to know the film more I'm okay with it, though I might have liked a bit more of a postscript to the story rather than the abrupt "The End" after that significant event occurs.
I'm glad to know you appreciate O'Brien as well. His films and career are consistently interesting, and honestly overall if I had to choose one I'd pick his filmography over Holden's despite the many good films Holden was in.
Best wishes,
Laura
In 1950 Mark Stevens, Edmond O'Brien, and Gale Storm did Between Midnight and Dawn, a police procedural similar to The Turning Point, and with a similar surprise ending, although this one took place at roughly the halfway mark. That O'Brien appeared in both, playing a similar part, did he have story input on the film with Holden? I assume you know my reference, if not, ....I will continue later.
Barry, that's a really interesting, thought, you're right about the similarity between BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN (which I liked) and THE TURNING POINT. (I thought perhaps I'd better not post your "Part 2" comment since I'm already fairly open about plots here but don't want to give away the whole game in the comments so to speak. But I agree with you.) It would be fascinating to know if O'Brien or other actors had any input or if it was simply chance those films went the way they did.
Thanks so much for those thought-provoking insights.
Best wishes,
Laura
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