"The Naked Street" is a "B" noir with an impressive cast, featuring Anthony Quinn, Anne Bancroft, and Farley Granger. What sets it apart from other films of the genre is its unconventional plot.
Gangster Phil Regal (Quinn) discovers that his sister Rosalie (Bancroft) is pregnant by small-time hood Nicky Bradna (Granger). Phil's solution is to have Rosalie marry Nicky to preserve her "honor." However, there's a major hurdle: Nicky is imprisoned and sentenced to death in the electric chair for killing a liquor store owner.
While it's not uncommon for criminals to intimidate witnesses to change their testimony before a trial, the idea of witnesses changing their minds after the trial seems far-fetched. It raises questions about Phil's ability to obtain a new trial for Nicky by using his thugs to intimidate and threaten the witnesses. While it may strain credibility, one can suspend disbelief and see if the rest of the narrative holds up.
As the story unfolds, Phil orchestrates Nicky's marriage to Rosalie and secures him a job as a truck driver, much to Nicky's displeasure upon his release. When Rosalie loses her baby, Phil impulsively blames Nicky for the tragedy and frames him for the murder of a bookie.
Peter Graves portrays Joe McFarland, a journalist from the NY Chronicle who attempts to expose Phil in his column. Phil threatens Joe's life, but his henchmen only give him a severe beating, leaving the reason for sparing his life unclear. Unfortunately, Graves's role as the film's narrator feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall drama.
Inevitably, the villains face their reckoning, with Nicky ultimately facing the electric chair after a second trial, and Phil meeting his demise by falling off the roof of his apartment building while being pursued by the police.
Anthony Quinn delivers a standout performance as Phil Regal, a character reminiscent of Tony Soprano, displaying charm and unwavering loyalty to his family. Although Quinn, of Mexican heritage, portrays a gangster of Italian descent, the film doesn't explicitly emphasize his ethnicity.
The role of Nicky was originally intended for Richard Widmark, who perhaps would have been a better fit than Granger. Playing against type, Granger struggles to fully convince as the "punk" involved in murder.
Bancroft, while talented, comes across as a bit too sophisticated for her role as Phil's college dropout sister. Additionally, it would have been preferable for Phil's mother to be portrayed by an actress of Italian descent, rather than Else Neft, who sounds German.
Given the film's offbeat plot and Quinn's standout performance, "The Naked Street" can be worth watching on a rainy Saturday, despite its predictable and moralistic conclusion.
Gangster Phil Regal (Quinn) discovers that his sister Rosalie (Bancroft) is pregnant by small-time hood Nicky Bradna (Granger). Phil's solution is to have Rosalie marry Nicky to preserve her "honor." However, there's a major hurdle: Nicky is imprisoned and sentenced to death in the electric chair for killing a liquor store owner.
While it's not uncommon for criminals to intimidate witnesses to change their testimony before a trial, the idea of witnesses changing their minds after the trial seems far-fetched. It raises questions about Phil's ability to obtain a new trial for Nicky by using his thugs to intimidate and threaten the witnesses. While it may strain credibility, one can suspend disbelief and see if the rest of the narrative holds up.
As the story unfolds, Phil orchestrates Nicky's marriage to Rosalie and secures him a job as a truck driver, much to Nicky's displeasure upon his release. When Rosalie loses her baby, Phil impulsively blames Nicky for the tragedy and frames him for the murder of a bookie.
Peter Graves portrays Joe McFarland, a journalist from the NY Chronicle who attempts to expose Phil in his column. Phil threatens Joe's life, but his henchmen only give him a severe beating, leaving the reason for sparing his life unclear. Unfortunately, Graves's role as the film's narrator feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall drama.
Inevitably, the villains face their reckoning, with Nicky ultimately facing the electric chair after a second trial, and Phil meeting his demise by falling off the roof of his apartment building while being pursued by the police.
Anthony Quinn delivers a standout performance as Phil Regal, a character reminiscent of Tony Soprano, displaying charm and unwavering loyalty to his family. Although Quinn, of Mexican heritage, portrays a gangster of Italian descent, the film doesn't explicitly emphasize his ethnicity.
The role of Nicky was originally intended for Richard Widmark, who perhaps would have been a better fit than Granger. Playing against type, Granger struggles to fully convince as the "punk" involved in murder.
Bancroft, while talented, comes across as a bit too sophisticated for her role as Phil's college dropout sister. Additionally, it would have been preferable for Phil's mother to be portrayed by an actress of Italian descent, rather than Else Neft, who sounds German.
Given the film's offbeat plot and Quinn's standout performance, "The Naked Street" can be worth watching on a rainy Saturday, despite its predictable and moralistic conclusion.