directed by Max Nosseck
This 1951 crime film noir starred Lawrence Tierney, who as previously discussed, had a reputation for anti-social behavior, as an unrepentant thug. I don't think the role was difficult. This movie was only an hour long. It lacked character development.
But I didn't miss character growth. This movie was a response to the age old question of whether we are more defined by nature or nurture. Are we naturally bad or good, or are we influenced by our surroundings, experiences, peers, relatives, and mentors.
We still don't know how much of each is involved in our makeup. If people do bad things because of biology are they responsible. Or if it's mostly the environment (bad parenting, lack of wealth, incorrect ideologies or other belief systems) must the state then correct that bad environment?
Some would say yes but I'd say there are limits to the state's authority. It's one thing to equalize school funding so that every child gets a fair shot at an education.
It's something different to say that families with missing parents or other issues should therefore surrender their children to the state or better situated families. I think most people would oppose that even if they agreed the children might be financially, psychologically and emotionally better off.
Vincent Lubeck (Lawrence Tierney) is a thug. Vincent has been a habitual criminal since childhood and has spent a lot of time behind bars. Up for parole Vincent appears unlikely to be released because the hulking warden objects.
The parole board relents when Vincent's elderly long suffering mother (Lisa Golm) makes an impassioned plea on Vincent's behalf. Everyone is touched except the warden who still insists that Vincent is just no damn good.
Released, Vincent starts working at his brother Johnny's (Edward Tierney, Lawrence's real life brother) gas station/repair shop. Johnny isn't thrilled at Vincent's return but changes his mind after being shamed by his mother and by his fiancee Rosa (Allene Roberts).
Vincent is surly and ungrateful. Vincent resents Johnny's success. Vincent resents that Johnny bought the gas station with proceeds from their father's life insurance policy. Vincent resents Johnny's ambition.
Vincent resents the idea of taking orders from Johnny though Johnny goes out of his way NOT to give Vincent orders. Vincent even resents Johnny's relationship with Rosa and almost immediately tries to ruin it by, well, you can guess.
Not content with petty malevolence, Vincent notices that the gas station is across the street from a bank where an armored car makes stops every week at the same time.
While dating a pretty bank secretary Eileen (Marjorie Riordan), Vincent pumps her for information about the bank's schedule and processes. Vincent has some big plans. He's putting a gang together for a can't miss scheme.
This was a bleak movie whose worldview is perfectly captured by a police captain's warning to Vincent: "I don't owe you a thing, Lubeck. But if you think I do, try to collect. I'd love to pay you off once and for all."
The only person safe from Vincent is his mother. Everyone else is fair game. Vincent dresses sharp throughout the film, trying to distance himself from the stink of poverty he recalls/resents from childhood. But some things Vincent can't cover up. The ending is melodramatic but everything else is tight. Tierney was simultaneously repulsive and compelling.
