the_old_roman

23 May 2012

Theres Never Been a Gal Like Sal From Texas Valley!

Tight police drama with D.A. Edward G. Robinson trying to protect witnessGinger Rogers from the clutches of evil crime lord Lorne Greene. RogersandRobinson are both marvelously vulnerable beneath their complementary toughexteriors. The direction is tense throughout. The film makes excellentuseof its claustrophobic environs. Brian Keith is also very good as a toughcop.

Jay09101951

23 May 2012

Nice 50s Noir with a Twist

This film is among the group of "B" crime noir movies that Columbiamade in the early 1950's such as "The Big Heat" and "The Mob". It hasthe same taught story and good acting. Clearly nearing the end of herfilm career, Ginger Rogers is very good playing a mob witness that hashad enough of the justice system and needs to be convinced that bytelling what she knows in court, she can do something good for maybethe first time in her life. It should be noted that Edward G. Robinsonwas trying to recover his lost career after being black-listed by HUACand "B" movies were the best roles he could get until he was cast byCecil B. DeMille in the Ten Commandments after the release of thisfilm. Brian Keith, best known as "Uncle Bill" in the late 1960's TVshow "Family Affair" is also quite good in his role as a police Lt.

21 May 2012

Witty dialog, interesting performances.

Tight Spot is a crime suspense movie with a bit of a comedy-drama feel from Ginger Rogers' crackly performance as a streetwise and otherwise wise convict. The situation: Prosecutor Edward G. Robinson has convict Rogers moved from prison to protective custody in a hotel room, guarded by cop Brian Keith, to persuade her to testify against mobster Lorne Greene. Rogers delivers witty dialogue by the truck load in spite of the dangerous situation, and finds a new dance partner in Brian Keith. The witty banter between cop & con as they fall head over heels for each other is entertaining, but unfortunately that detracts a bit from the suspense. Meantime the gangsters bungle their first attempt on her life, killing a police woman in the guard detail. I recommend the movie more for the witty dialogue than for the suspense, and even more than that for the trivia value if you're a film buff - it has both Keith and Greene in some of their earliest major roles, and Rogers and Robinson deliver outstanding performances.

Terrell-4

21 May 2012

A competent vehicle for Ginger Rogers, with a solid performance by Edward G. Robinson

Tight Spot has a potentially taut story going for it, as well as somenoirish photography, a skilled performance by Edward G. Robinson and asolid, conflicted performance by Brian Keith. Unfortunately, it also isprimarily a vehicle for a big star who was facing age and a newgeneration of movie goers. The film also was adapted from a stage play.Much of the movie feels declarative, with far too many opportunitiesfor Ginger Rogers to "act." A key witness who can send vicious crime boss Benjamin Costain (LorneGreene) into the slammer and then have him deported is shot down onGotham's courtroom steps. Government lawyer Lloyd Hallet (Edward G.Robinson) discovers another possible witness who could incriminateCostain if she'll testify. She's Sherry Conley (Ginger Rogers), afeisty, smart-mouth con who is in prison doing a five-year term for acrime she says she had nothing to do with. Hallet pulls her out ofprison and installs her in a fancy hotel. He assigns police detectiveVince Slater (Brian Keith) and a team of officers to protect her. Andthen he tries to convince her to testify against Costain. He promisesto cancel the rest of her sentence. He describes how bad a guy Costainis. He appeals to her sense of justice. But Sherry knows the otherwitness was gunned down. She's tough and no one's patsy. While this isgoing on, Costain has been busy. He's learned which hotel she's at,even the room. We know anyone staying in 2409 at the St. Charles Hotelis going to be in for an upsetting night. The hotel's lobby is dark andlonely. The hallways are empty and seem to go on forever. Sherry andVince, who initially is tense and disdainful toward her, begin to warmup to each other. We learn Sherry isn't the playgirl her reputationwould have us believe. When the first assassination attempt takesplace, windows are smashed, a gunman almost breaks in and bullets goflying. Sherry and a police woman she has come to like are wounded, thewoman seriously. It takes a death to convince Sherry that a man asruthless as Costain must be put away. Despite another assassinationattempt, we last see her sitting in the witness box, staring atCostain, as Hallet begins his questions. Rogers was 44 when she made this movie. She looks great but it'sobvious she's playing below her age. She also has a tendency to chewthe scenery. Her wise-guy persona simply doesn't ring true. We knowit's Ginger Rogers acting. There are far too many opportunities for herto have dramatic moments...Sherry telling us about herself...Sherry andher sister arguing...Sherry describing her life when she was just 16.None of it seems authentic. The movie is a vehicle for an aging starwho could still command above-the-title roles, but where those roleswere more and more often in second-rate movies. Rogers might make us a little uncomfortable, but Edward G. Robinsonmade me really sad. Here was this great actor, placed unfairly andunofficially on the Hollywood blacklist at the start of the Fifties,unable to get roles worthy of him in first-rate films, having to takework in stuff like this. Remember films of his like Vice Squad, The BigLeaguer, The Glass Web and Black Tuesday? Didn't think you did. Theywere all scarcely more than programmers made by Hollywood journeymen.They were all from this period. Robinson, as far as I'm concerned,never turned in a bad performance despite all this. With Tight Spot heeffortlessly dominates all the scenes he's in. He doesn't try to stealany glory from Rogers, but it is his performance which seems the mostauthentic and interesting. Tight Spot is at best a competent film tailored to the needs of GingerRogers. It's not bad; it's just workmanlike. If you like old films,Tight Spot may be worth a watch.

dougdoepke

20 May 2012

Ginger Gets a Revival

I love it when Mississippi Mac bangs out a tune on his head using arubber mallet, a clever touch getting comedy relief from a TV parody ofa country and western telethon. Otherwise, it's a pretty somber movieand extended showcase for Rogers then coming off a reverse blacklist ofHollywood right-wingers. As it is, Rogers gets ninety minutes of snappy dialog with more brassthan spent cartridges on a rifle range. But, frankly, all the toughtalk and attitude does get tiresome despite her spirited effort. Thefact that she's 40-something and starting to bulge strikes me as justright for the aging party-girl part. Remember, Sherry (Rogers) issupposed to have been around the block more than a few times and is nowlooking back over what she suspects is a misspent life. That's whatmakes her otherwise hardened character rather poignant and vulnerable. What a shrewd piece of casting to pair the high-key Rogers with thelow-key Bryan Keith. At this career stage, Keith was one of the moresubtle actors around, able to convey a lot by doing very little.Director Karlson apparently liked him too, casting him also in his 5Against the House (1955). And for Robinson and Rogers, it must haveseemed like old home week at Warner Bros.But truth be told, cult director Karlson is wasted in a crime dramathat any one of a dozen lesser directors could have handled. At thesame time, I didn't see the major plot twist coming which strikes me asthe most memorable part of a too-stagey film; although, like otherreviewers, that family spat with sister Clara (McVeagh) is a real barnburner and high point. Anyway, the film's an okay crime story thatreally serves as a vehicle for a Ginger Rogers career revival.

me_runner

19 May 2012

I like old films with good performance !

I disagree a little with previous writers:Although Ginger is a little old (and, yes, older than the policeman), sheissexy enough to make believable the plot.(I think women in their 30s and 40s can be gorgeous: even more than theonesin their 20s)But I agree about Robinson (a little man that fills the screen) and Keith(great not-so-tough policeman)And a kind request:Could anybody send me the last lines of the script ? (or tell me, where inInternet to look for it)I've recorded the film from the spanish TV in the wee hours.I've run out of tape, just when Ginger and Robinson appear in thetrial.I would like to know what Ginger and the bad guy say...

DaveSFV

17 May 2012

Judy Holliday?

I'm surprised that no one thought that Ginger Rogers was a bit likeJudy Holliday in that she plays a rough and dumb blonde that says somewise and intelligent things. I thought the excellent dialogue kept youinterested in the movie since most of it took place in a hotel room.Although I'm a big fan of Brian Keith, I thought his roll was too"Hollywood" in that in the beginning of the film he and Ginger Rogersintensely disliked each other only to then fall for each other. Howmany films has that happened? Bunch! Robinson was just excellent asalways, no surprise there. Very good movie with excellent dialogue butno real surprises in how it ends.

bmacv

16 May 2012

A past-her-prime Ginger Rogers sinks otherwise competent thriller

Tight Spot purports to be a tense drama about protecting a gangster'smoll pulled out of prison to testify for the prosecution. They picked atough, no-nonsense director, Phil Karlson, whose offbeat rhythms andoffhand brutality made movies like 99 River Street, Kansas CityConfidential and The Phenix City Story such memorable installments inthe noir cycle. But somehow Tight Spot turned into a quick-and-dirty"return" vehicle for its star, Ginger Rogers. She was the wrong choice. Quite visibly beyond the first flush of youth-- not to mention the second or the third -- she plays a slangydiamond-in-the-rough but can't bring it off (an ingenue like JanSterling would have been perfect in the part). In consequence, we'relocked in a hotel suite with Rogers and Brian Keith, a police detectiveassigned to protect her, while Rogers develops her "character" attedious length.Meanwhile, a vital plot development gets postponed, disastrouslyskewing the movie's arc of tension (even the solidly reliable Edward G.Robinson can't get it taut again). Karlson can be depended on todeliver some swift thrills, but Rogers, who 15 years earlier could havetossed off a cool, expert performance, ends up sinking the wholeenterprise.

15 May 2012

A competent vehicle for Ginger Rogers, with a solid performance by Edward G. Robinson

Tight Spot has a potentially taut story going for it, as well as some noirish photography, a skilled performance by Edward G. Robinson and a solid, conflicted performance by Brian Keith. Unfortunately, it also is primarily a vehicle for a big star who was facing age and a new generation of movie goers. The film also was adapted from a stage play. Much of the movie feels declarative, with far too many opportunities for Ginger Rogers to "act."A key witness who can send vicious crime boss Benjamin Costain (Lorne Greene) into the slammer and then have him deported is shot down on Gotham's courtroom steps. Government lawyer Lloyd Hallet (Edward G. Robinson) discovers another possible witness who could incriminate Costain if she'll testify. She's Sherry Conley (Ginger Rogers), a feisty, smart-mouth con who is in prison doing a five-year term for a crime she says she had nothing to do with. Hallet pulls her out of prison and installs her in a fancy hotel. He assigns police detective Vince Slater (Brian Keith) and a team of officers to protect her. And then he tries to convince her to testify against Costain. He promises to cancel the rest of her sentence. He describes how bad a guy Costain is. He appeals to her sense of justice. But Sherry knows the other witness was gunned down. She's tough and no one's patsy. While this is going on, Costain has been busy. He's learned which hotel she's at, even the room. We know anyone staying in 2409 at the St. Charles Hotel is going to be in for an upsetting night. The hotel's lobby is dark and lonely. The hallways are empty and seem to go on forever. Sherry and Vince, who initially is tense and disdainful toward her, begin to warm up to each other. We learn Sherry isn't the playgirl her reputation would have us believe. When the first assassination attempt takes place, windows are smashed, a gunman almost breaks in and bullets go flying. Sherry and a police woman she has come to like are wounded, the woman seriously. It takes a death to convince Sherry that a man as ruthless as Costain must be put away. Despite another assassination attempt, we last see her sitting in the witness box, staring at Costain, as Hallet begins his questions.Rogers was 44 when she made this movie. She looks great but it's obvious she's playing below her age. She also has a tendency to chew the scenery. Her wise-guy persona simply doesn't ring true. We know it's Ginger Rogers acting. There are far too many opportunities for her to have dramatic moments...Sherry telling us about herself...Sherry and her sister arguing...Sherry describing her life when she was just 16. None of it seems authentic. The movie is a vehicle for an aging star who could still command above-the-title roles, but where those roles were more and more often in second-rate movies.Rogers might make us a little uncomfortable, but Edward G. Robinson made me really sad. Here was this great actor, placed unfairly and unofficially on the Hollywood blacklist at the start of the Fifties, unable to get roles worthy of him in first-rate films, having to take work in stuff like this. Remember films of his like Vice Squad, The Big Leaguer, The Glass Web and Black Tuesday? Didn't think you did. They were all scarcely more than programmers made by Hollywood journeymen. They were all from this period. Robinson, as far as I'm concerned, never turned in a bad performance despite all this. With Tight Spot he effortlessly dominates all the scenes he's in. He doesn't try to steal any glory from Rogers, but it is his performance which seems the most authentic and interesting. Tight Spot is at best a competent film tailored to the needs of Ginger Rogers. It's not bad; it's just workmanlike. If you like old films, Tight Spot may be worth a watch. The movie is only available on VHS. It looks good.

15 May 2012

B movie with academy award acting.

"Tight Spot" was a gem. Unexpected, to me, after the early part of the movie seemed to have an inevitable ending. It didn't turn out that way.Rogers was perfect for the plot, which was perfect for Rogers. Her actual age, 45, was perfect for the age of a society reject who was dragged from prison for one purpose: testify against a murderous criminal. The plot twists weren't brilliant, perhaps, but I did enjoy them, as well as the acting of all the key players.From the acting standpoint, I think Ginger was fabulous. I would give her a ten, on all counts.

bkoganbing

12 May 2012

Another heart of gold moll

Ginger Rogers, who was usually more glamorous in her movie roles,invades territory normally occupied by Claire Trevor or Veda Ann Borg.She's a good time gal who happens to be on a pleasure cruise with mobboss Lorne Greene and Greene has smuggled another gangster into thecountry. U.S. Attorney Edward G. Robinson is seeking to deport Greene. Greene's enemies have a habit of ending up dead. And our story beginswith conflicted cop Brian Keith assigned to protect Ginger as Robinsontries to convince her to testify. Rogers's career was on the downside here, but she's still a dynamitepresence on the screen. Robinson and Keith are solid here and who wouldhave thunk of Ben Cartright as a mobster.Nice film, tightly edited, not a wasted frame in it.

12 May 2012

Not sorry I watched it but. . .

Not enough of Edward G. Robinson, who can do more with the bags under his eyes than most actors can do with their whole faces. Too much of Ginger Rogers in a horrible hair-cut and a horribly strained effort to play the "bad good girl." In fact, that's too mild; she's just horrible in this. Brian Keith does a very creditable job. There are some well played small parts - the policewoman, the sister, Lorne Greene as the gangster, who is a revelation for those of us who have never seen him in anything other than Bonanza. The script can't quite decide whether it's a suspense or a comedy and fails at both, but it has enough bright moments of each to make it worth watching.

howdymax

07 May 2012

Every clich in the book

Full disclosure: I've never been a Ginger Rogers fan off the dancefloor, but she hits a new low in this one. A modest 2nd feature entryfrom Columbia, it should have been a pleasant escape. Instead, I foundmyself almost twisting in pain every time Ginger Rogers opened hermouth. The story is simple. It takes place in NYC where the feds aretrying to get the goods on a mafioso so they can ship him back where hecame from. Ginger is the witness they need to get it done. Problem is,she is a street wise con who would rather play games with the cops. Idon't know what kind of accent she tries to imitate, but it'sunrecognizable. Her wisecracks fall flat. The jokes left me wincing. Itwas directed by Phil Karlson, a usually reliable director, and thestory itself, though predictable, was generally interesting, butGinger's performance had me wishing I had tuned into the Home ShoppingNetwork instead. Miss it if you get the chance.

edwagreen

07 May 2012

Tight Spot-Excellent Film Position to Be In

Ginger Rogers sheds her usual movie ways and portrays a girl survivinga sentence for hiding a criminal. She is offered her freedom if shewill testify against someone who the government is trying to get.Problem is that her ex-boyfriend has already taken a fatal bullet onhis way to testify.Edward G. Robinson is the D.A. here in this exciting film. There is amarvelous supporting performance by Brian Keith, as the cop, assignedto watch her. Naturally, romance blooms and there is quite a surprisewaiting for viewers when we realize who he really is in this film.Here is a girl telling those in prison to keep their mouths shut and doas little as possible. "Never volunteer" is her motto. How quickly thesituation and her beliefs change.As Sherry Conley, Rogers depicts a girl whose environment led herastray. The film is well worth catching.

blanche-2

07 May 2012

Ginger sprung from prison to testify against a mobster

Ginger Rogers is in a "Tight Spot" in this 1955 film directed by PhilKarlsen and also starring Edward G. Robinson, Brian Keith and LorneGreene. Rogers plays Sherry Conley, in prison for harboring a fugitive.When the big witness against a mobster (Greene) is killed, she's askedto be a witness against him so that he can be deported. She realizesthe danger, but stalls in making her decision because she's in a hoteland can order room service and take private showers. Also, one of herguards, Vince (Keith) is attractive and there appears to be a chemistrythere. After a couple of murder attempts, she wants to go back toprison."Tight Spot" isn't exactly an "A" movie; it's more like a B+ - it'sfilmed in black and white and fits into the noir genre. However, it'sbased on a play, and it's obvious - the scenes aren't opened up at all,and there's a ton of dialogue. It doesn't appear that Karlsen directedeither Rogers or Eve McVeagh very well. Both actresses approach theirroles as if they're doing them for stage; the effect is over the top.Ginger Rogers was a wonderful actress and a very versatile one. Likeall female film stars, the roles became a little less interesting aftershe turned 30 and all but disappeared when she turned 40. She's 44here, playing someone younger, and she is very effective if a littleoverdone in parts. Robinson is great as usual, and a young Keith givesa relaxed performance. Greene was cast as a villain often until heplayed Pa Cartwright. At the age of 45 when the show started, he was 13years older than Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts). After that, heplayed fathers, and producers didn't care whose father -Ava Gardner's,for instance, in Earthquake. He was seven years older than Ava. He doesa good job here in a fairly one-dimensional role.All in all, okay.

jwpappas

06 May 2012

a so-so pot boiler

Were it not for the presence of 2 screen legends (Rogers & Robinson) & 2 TVlegends (Keith & Greene), this would've been consigned to obscurity. Its notan awful film but merely an average B film pumped up with a decent budget &name actors. Rogers effects an absurd New Yawk accent & engages in eyerolling cliche exchanges with Keith for most of the movie. Robinson isrestrained & dull & looks bored with his cornball dialogue. The only brightspot is Lorne Greene who is terrific as the underworld crime boss who setsthe events in motion. Otherwise the film is an OK but forgettable way tofill up 90 minutes. If there is absolutely nothing on TV & the weatheroutside is awful & you have run out of things to read & you are completelycaught up on household chores, then perhaps TIGHT SPOT is worth alook.

David Atfield

04 May 2012

Stagey drama given life by gutsy Ginger.

Ginger Rogers gives one of her best performances here, as a tough gangster's"moll" turned state witness. Her gutsy, strong and sexy performance carriesthe conventional plot. Robinson and Keith are fine, but they don't havemuch to do except get dazzled by Ginger - and who wouldn't be. It is alittle hard to believe that Keith, at 34, would fall for Ginger, at 44, butthat's all part of the illusion of glamourous Hollywood. Ginger looksgreat, but she does look her age.The main problem here is the inadequate adaptation from a stage play - theaction is too confined in the one room, and there is too much dialogue. Butthis is worth catching for the original Ginger Spice in full fireworks'mode.

04 May 2012

Gangbusters

A compact little drama with some nice twists... the kind of movie I loved watching on late night TV as a kid. But don't expect too much -- the situation of the film feels very theatrical and Ginger Rogers (sporting a disfiguring short haircut and one tight polka-dot dress) socks her performance home a little too hard. Edward G. Robinson is competent but has little to work with; Brian Keith comes off best. Not bad... just lower your expectations.

MargsMom

02 May 2012

Some defects but a good film.

As a big fan of Ginger Rogers', I think this film, although late in hercareer, is rather good. Of course with Edgar G. Robinson as the districtattorney, there's no way this could be bad. The opening prison laundryscenes are more than a little hard to believe (after all, when was thelasttime you were in prison with perfectly manicured nails). Over all, dramaand comedy nicely balanced.

moonspinner55

01 May 2012

Co-starring Brian Keith as VINCE STRIKER!

From the play "Dead Pigeon" comes this overwrought confection withGinger Rogers chewing the scenery as wisecracking jailbird sprung fromthe pokey by police so she can testify against ruthless mobster at ahigh-profile murder trial. Talky, slightly claustrophobic piece reallyneeds Ginger's overacting to kick it into gear; she looks great in ashort, ducktail bob, and manages to create real sparks with the actressportraying her selfish sister (it's the best scene in the movie). BrianKeith is appealing in his modest, aw-shucks way as troubled cop VinceStriker (great character name); Katherine Anderson also fine as aprison matron. So-so film benefits from star-appeal. **1/2 from ****