Walk the Dark Street

Best known for some classic "B" science fiction films of the 1950s such as MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR, writer/producer/director Wyott Ordung attempted to work in the LA film noir/psychological drama vein with this 1956 rarity, taking the classic "Most Dangerous Game" scenario as a starting point, but reinventing it in a very novel way. I don't want to give too much plot away as the film unrolls in a surprising way. Chuck Connors, although best known for his Western roles and his fatherly manner on The Rifleman, plays over-the-top psycho roles well (see DEATH IN SMALL DOSES for proof!), and does so here, pitted against Korean War vet Don Ross (billed as "introducing"). It's an interesting psychological game of wits. Although many of the expository scenes are shot on a few small sets, much of the action takes place on the streets of 1950s Los Angeles, fascinating to look at and giving the film a wonderfully gritty and authentic feel. The film also has the ironic development of a Twilight Zone or Thriller episode, but further developed to feature length. This seems to be a unique entry in Mr. Ordung's filmography, and it shows that he can work well within the low-budget crime drama field with minimal resources because he can as a writer and director create tense situations and he had the good sense to hire actors such as Chuck Connors. Don Ross is fine too, although he is the down-to-earth one here and other than being tough and ingenious is not given the opportunities for histrionics that the script gives to Connors. Perhaps because Ordung is a "cult" name in Science Fiction circles, someone will do a video/dvd release of this little-known gem--I certainly hope so. It is due for re-evaluation. (It has a vague resemblance to CONFESSIONS OF A PSYCHO CAT, made ten years later...although that is probably coincidental. PSYCHO CAT was the first film I thought of while watching this)

Was this a Jr High Film Club project? Well, the camera boy did a good job, but the script and acting must be about the most inept, unlikely set of events in Hollywood--or anywhere else--history. One you-got-to-be-kidding moment after another! Why'd they make this thing? Who funded it, what was he smoking and where can the rest of us get some? Good for beginning screenwriting class: what not to do!

Frank Garrick is a big game hunter, but he has a bad heart and is also mentally unbalanced. He unfairly blames Dan Lawton for his brother Tommy's death in Korea. When Dan visits, Frank proposes a stalking game using photographic rifles and trying to get a photo of the opponent. Dan gets $10,000 if he wins. Dan agrees and the game is on throughout the city, but Frank has secretly loaded his rifle with a real bullet. Also stalking Dan is Tommy's fiancé, Helen Leyden, who also blames Dan for Tommy's death. But, after picking up Dan in a bar, Helen falls in love with him after spending about two minutes of idle chit chat. Helen becomes Dan's ally in the game. Watch the movie to find out how it all turns out.

For awhile, I thought maybe I was watching another masterpiece from Coleman Francis. Anybody remember the classic "Red Zone Cuba?" But unlike Francis' movies, WTDS uses a few actual actors who do their best. Chuck Connors as Frank wears a grown out flattop haircut. He would become a TV superstar a few years later as "The Rifleman." Don Ross plays Dan. He would become a regular supporting actor on Jack Webb's "Dragnet" TV series in the 1960s. Underrated Regina Gleason plays Helen. She really emotes in a lot of her scenes and her overacting is quite noticeable here. In 1964, Regina was cited by an LA traffic cop for wearing sunglasses that were too thick! She fought the case in court, and after speaking with the DA, she got the case dismissed.

If you can tolerate the long pauses between the actors giving their lines, the bad script, the awful editing, and the unbelievable and impossible occurrences in WTDS, you might be able to sit through its 73 minutes. I did and i still live!

Definitely a takeoff on THE MOST DANGEOUS GAME. You have a contemporary big game hunter (squarely played by Chuck Connors) walking the streets of a big city --instead of a jungle --hunting down another human being. Character actor Don Ross, who appeared in scores of tv shows for decades, plays the man on the run, who Connors believes caused the death of his brother.

The catch -- both men are armed with rifles. AND may the best shot win. Not a bad premise, and even with a super low budget, the story has its moments; adventure and a few chills, mostly filmed on the streets in 1950s Hollywood. Also a neat time capsule.

The film will hold your attention and it does move. Connors is interesting, especially as he grows frustrated in his attempts to nail Ross, who is quite elusive. Regina Gleason co-stars, likewise a veteran of hundreds of tv shows, though her claim to fame in the 1960s was her arrest for wearing "thick" sunglasses while driving in LA. True story. Wyott Ordong, the low, low budget director whose name was more famous than his work, produced this adventure, also credited for cult films like ROBOT MONSTER and MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR. He also gave Ed Wood (PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE) a run for his money, not the only director and producer to scrape together a few bucks to make cult movies. Ordong also managed to get a large studio involved, in this case Universal Pictures, at least to use their sound stages and leftover sets.

Not a bad time killer, which in the last few years had turned up on dvd. Thanks much to MOVIES NET for adding this oldie to their noir weekend edition.

This is considered film noir because it's poorly lit. Chuck Connors just starting out. I once saw Chuck Connors ask John Wayne About his real name Marion. John Wayne did take the bate and had no problem acknowledging his real name. Would have been great to see these two giants spar but the Lone Ranger Clayton Moore and Cheyanne Clint Walker were there and it was all friendly. Anyway this was made on a shoestring in 50's LA and meanders along but could have been great with better scripting and people with talent. In the end it's pointless. I had teacher say all good stories are a chase, the only problem with that theory is the end has to pay off and this payoff is pointless.