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garynoir
Reviews
The Naked City (1948)
Wears well after all these years
After a half century, Naked City still stands out as one of the best on-location movies filmed in New York City. It wasn't all that unique -- quite a few movies were filmed on location in the city back then. (A 1950 movie called "Side Street," which actually has a more interesting plot, also was filmed entirely on location and aped the narration bookends.) What makes this one different is the use of locations, which has never been better. Also this one had very strong performances, particularly from Barry Fitzgerald. Dig the way he steals every scene he's in.
The Sleeping City (1950)
A terrific, little-known film noir
A bleak, atmospheric movie, filmed entirely on location at New York's Bellevue Hospital. Fine performances by Conte, Gray, Alexander and a slew of New York stage actors. Note the brief but significant appearance, at the beginning of the movie, by Hugh Reilly, who went on to star in the Lassie TV series.