La strada del mistero

This film gets some notoriety because it introduced audiences to forensic science long before "Quincy" and "CSI" became hit shows on television. But don't be misled: forensic science is only a part of this film; it is not like watching a CSI episode. It's mainly simply a crime story where we meet a bunch of characters responsible for a killing that took place.

I thought the leading characters, played by Ricardo Montalban and Bruce Bennett, were upstaged by a couple of ladies, namely Elsa Lanchester and Jan Sterling, although the latter is killed off quickly. Too bad; I always found Sterling a fascinating actress and someone well-suited for film noir. Don't get me wrong: Montalban is a solid actor, a lot more than the "Love Boat" guy people remember him for. The same goes for Bennett, but neither has a lot of spark in here. By the way, if you liked Montalban in this kind of movie, check out "Border Incident," a noir he starred in the previous year.

This particular story won't keep on edge because we know early on who is the murderer. Like a "Columbo" TV episode, the fun is seeing how the cops figure it out. "Lt. Morales" (Montalban) gets valuable help from "Dr. McAdoo" (Bennett) is piecing the case together.

It's "Mrs. Smerling" (Lanchester) who is the most fun to watch in this film. I think most viewers would agree with that.

The movie certainly gives a lot of favorable publicity to the Harvard Medical School. I remember watching this and thinking the school must have bankrolled the movie, it's gets so much positive air time.

Finally, it's nice to see this on DVD. If it hadn't been included in this "Film Nor Classics collection Vol. 4" set I probably never would have seen this film. The transfer is fine, highlighting the wonderful black and white cinematography we film noir fans so enjoy. Kudos to photographer John Alton and director John Sturges for that. Alton was behind the camera on a number of beautifully-shot film noirs of the late '40s

Though the script is B-grade, the terrific cast and cinematography make "Mystery Street" a fun movie to watch. The story lacks depth and substantive twists, and the fractured plot suggests a weak structure. Focus oscillates back and forth among a number of characters. As a result, viewers come away with a sense that the film is an ensemble piece when in fact it isn't.

Jan Sterling is well cast as Vivian, a young, blonde hussy who is in trouble with the wrong people. The great Elsa Lanchester provides grotesque comic relief as the dithering but nervy Mrs. Smerrling, Vivian's smarmy, slithery landlady who's very fond of money. And Ricardo Montalban is surprisingly good as Morales, a novice Boston detective trying to solve a murder. Part of the plot provides a good account of then-current forensic science, as Morales pieces together detailed biological clues.

Gorgeous B&W photography makes this film quite atmospheric. Off-kilter angles in some scenes, shadows, silhouettes, a forced perspective, along with Gothic set decoration render interesting visuals. I especially liked those scenes that contain mostly blackness punctuated with bits of light. The look and feel is very 1940s, with scenes at a seedy rooming house, a tawdry bar called the Grass Skirt, and sleazy music to match.

The main reason I chose to watch this film is because of the mystery genre and the casting of wonderful Elsa Lanchester. The "mystery" was a tad disappointing, but Elsa was sheer delight.

"Mystery Street" contains a story that is acceptable if not first rate. But the cast and B&W noir visuals are terrific, making this an above-average film, one I would recommend.

This is proof that Ricardo Montalban was actually a fine actor, before he was somehow transformed into a caricature of himself by television. This movie is so well done, so tightly crafted that I am surprised I have never heard of it before. It may be the very first movie-version of "CSI"! Not as graphic and detailed as the TV show, but a forensic anthropological examination of the evidence by a Harvard doctor/professor is integral to the plot, and handled very well. The characters rise above typical stereotypes in this story, which almost plays like a docudrama as opposed to something created from whole cloth. Elsa Lanchester is particularly good too as a nasty landlady with no scruples whatsoever. Truly a hidden gem, and one worth the hour-forty or so you will spend watching it.

See it for the Boston locations, for an early gritty performance by Montalban before he became a Latin heartthrob joke, for the intricate plot, vivid characterizations and snappy editing, but see it most of all for the extraordinary cinematography of John Alton. What he does with composition, deep focus and lighting is amazing. That he often does it on locations where he did not have the control of a soundstage is astonishing.

First of all .... ELLLLLLLSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you're an Elsa Lanchester fan, you've got to see this movie. Although she is fourth in the billing, I'd say she's on screen second in amount of time only to Ricardo Montalban. And, she plays her character wonderfully: a scheming, not-so-nice landlady! ELSA ROCKS!

Small aside: Thank goodness for Tivo's "wish list" feature and Turner Classic Movies! This movie came up during my Elsa Lanchester wish list search. Otherwise, I might never have seen it.

OK, back to the movie: I recorded it because of Elsa, and for that reason only. I was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed the movie. It's a murder mystery, and Ricardo Montalban plays a young lieutenant trying to find the murderer. For 1950, I thought the detail of forensic information they went into was pretty good ... CSI fans might laugh or find it charmingly quaint, but I don't recall any other "noir" type of films that I've seen from this era talk about forensic details to the extent that this film does.

I won't spoil the movie, but there are two scenes I'd like to comment on:

1) While Ricardo Montalban is searching the office of a snobby Cape Cod blue blood, the blue blood (Mr. Harkley) says to him, "The Harkleys have been here since before this land became known as the United States. I can tell by your accent that you've been here less than one generation." (or words to that effect). RM shoots him a great look, then has a great parting shot when he leaves Mr. Harkley's office.

2) VERY BRIEFLY, say 60 seconds at the most, Ricardo Montalban is working out by himself in a squash or handball court. A very yummy shot if, like me, you are only familiar with the older "Kahn" (Star Trek) or "Fantasy Island" Ricardo Montalban. Rrrrowwwr!

Summary: Good movie. Good story. Good acting. ELLLLLSSSSSSAAAAAAA!!!!!!! I recommend seeing it if you can.

(Sadly, I just checked Amazon and I don't see this movie as being available for sale on either DVD or VHS. Scan your Turner Classic Movie listings for this. I'm sure they'll play it again. Or plug it into your wish list if you have a Tivo. And if you don't have a Tivo then get one! (No, I'm not an employee of Tivo nor a shareholder! Just a huge Tivo fan!))

My rating = 8/10