Think of "City That Never Sleeps" as a combination of "The Naked City" and "It's A Wonderful Life." Narrated (ala "Naked City") by the city of Chicago itself (!), it tells one story of a disillusioned police officer (Gig Young) who is threatening to walk out on both his job and his wife, and how one night forces him to reevaluate his decision and his life. Crisply written, acted (particularly by William Talman, who steals the film as an in-over-his-head con man turned killer), directed, and shot (by noir master John Alton), it qualifies as a great example of the genre. It would have been just fine without the bizarre angle of having the spirit of the city appear, angel-like, in the form of police officer (Chill Wills, also the narrator), who acts as the conscience of hero Gig Young and guides him through the night that will decide his destiny. Why this was included is something of a puzzle, since it gives a supernatural aura to the otherwise gritty, realistic drama. The fine supporting cast includes Edward Arnold (at his slimiest), Marie Windsor (at her shiftiest), Paula Raymond (at her purest), Mala Powers (not quite seasoned enough for her role), and Wally Cassell, who is very affecting as a down-on-his-luck actor reduced to playing a mechanical man in a store window. That character, who turns out to be vitally important to the plot, may have inspired a 1960 "June Allyson Show" in which Harpo Marx played a very similar part. Over all, very worthwhile, even with the odd metaphysical overlay.
Review of City That Never Sleeps
