Noir November - Day 6 - Panic in the Streets (1950)

Another medical thriller/crime noir hybrid, Panic in the Streets is tightly written thriller with great acting by Richard Widmark as Clinton Reed, an officer (and doctor) with the US Public Health Service. It also features Jack Palance in his debut as Blackie, a low-life gangster who contracts pneumonic plague. The movies follows the Widmark's attempt to track down everyone who was exposed to the plague, while Blackie, wanted for murder, tries to evade the authorities, his every breath carrying HOT DEATH!!!!! Or something like that.

Panic is a solid, entertaining film. The film features the usual reflexive decision by the authorities to cover up what is happen. Blackie's murderous nature, coupled with the threat of the disease getting out of New Orleans and killing millions, provides the requisite amount of tension. Widmark makes for a solid hero, although he is missing the morally ambiguous qualities of the best noir protagonists. Director Elia Kazan (On The Waterfront) and DP Joseph MacDonald make good use of the location shooting (the entire film was shot in New Orleans) particularly a great climatic chase through the warehouse of the Port of New Orleans.

Panic is entertaining and an above-average example of both the noir and medical thriller genres. Check it out.

Jack Palance is all set to spread some panic in the streets.