Lutte sans merci

Alan Ladd plays an aerospace engineer who is assaulted by a group of juvenile delinquents. Ladd ignores police detective Rod Steiger's advice to cool his jets and let the police investigate. Ladd instead buys a gun and hunts down the young punks. Based on a novel by Leigh Brackett, screenwriter of "The Big Sleep," "Rio Bravo," "The Long Goodbye," and "The Empire Strikes Back," the story is essentially a lighter version of Brian Garfield's "Death Wish." The punks are not as vicious and the vigilante is not as violent. Still, it's a solid thriller that does have an edge to it and Ladd is compelling in what would be his final leading man role. FUN FACT! At one point John Wayne was announced as a possible choice for the lead in this film after producer Charles Schnee had bought the film rights to the 1957 novel.

As Alan Ladd's last starring role, this was a pretty good way to finish his all-too-short career. While it's not the best thing he ever did, it is one of his better films. Unfortunately, for me, a real fan of Ladd, it's also a bit tough to watch because he's obviously suffering the effects of advanced alcoholism--with a puffy look about him and slightly slurred speech. In addition, at times his performance was a bit limp--though at other times, particularly at the end, he was able to rouse some of that old Alan Ladd energy and anger.

The film is about a decent man who through no fault of his own is badly beaten by a group of young spoiled rich thugs. The problem is that the information on who did this was scant so catching the thugs looked uncertain. Plus Ladd had a lot of trouble getting on with his life--particularly when members of this little gang began threatening him and his wife. From that point on, Ladd is a bit like Captain Ahab--with an almost incessant need to find and punish the teens. Surprisingly, Rod Steiger underplays the role of a decent detective who is investigating the case (he sometimes seemed to overact in some films--here he was perfect). He's trying his best to find the boys AND keep Ladd from getting himself in trouble for being a vigilante.

Add to this basic plot decent acting, a very good and suspenseful script as well as a very adult plot for 1962 and you've got the formula for a very good drama--far better than many of the mediocre films Ladd had been making through much of the 1950s and 60s.

This is one of Alan Ladd's last films, and his age is showing. But his acting is more than adequate, and it's a pleasure to see him in a role like this (aerospace engineer, husband) rather than "Gun for Hire", "Shane", "Blue Dahlia", "The Iron Mistress". etc. So much of his work was done in costume, he looks strange dressed like a suburban professional.

I was very surprised with "13 West Street". I found it both believable, and well-performed. It's amazing to see Alan Ladd's character correctly identify his as a "hate" crime. The way the director makes us (and the characters) think all teenagers are members of the five who attacked Mr. Ladd was nicely done.

The successful older man coming to terms, perhaps, with his increasing vulnerability is a great film subject. Ladd seems to understand this, and it becomes part of his performance. His physicality (whatever real health concerns he is having) is successfully incorporated into his performance.

Ladd's younger "trophy" wife really cares for him, and is unsure how to handle the unfolding events. Rod Steiger is great as the police detective assigned to the case -- watch how he turns over the newspaper when he confront the bartender. There are a lot of nice little touches like that -- from the director and/or performers… watch all their little mannerisms; they all fit the characters, and add to the believability.

There are more unexpected, and riveting, events. Are they implausible? In a 1962 film, perhaps they seemed so, but the decade ended with crimes and criminals significantly more "implausible". Accepting the situation is believable, there are some flaws which keep this from being a perfect film. I would have preferred "Chuck" to be a Charles Manson-type psycho, and could have done without the "Teenage Terror" angle. There are also some necessary "budget" restrictions.

They made the absolute most out of the budget they had, though. Highly recommended!

********* 13 West Street (1962) Philip Leacock ~ Alan Ladd, Rod Steiger, Michael Callan, Dolores Dorn

I had fairly low expectations going into this one, but the film quickly churns into full noir-ish life as one of the last of what was to be a dying breed of movie--a psychological thriller pulling us close to the world of the always fascinating Alan Ladd as he runs head on into forces beyond his control. (I disagree that Ladd's personal problems detract from his performance at all. In fact to me the intentional darkness of the mood is simply strengthened by Ladd just as he was able to do in a dozen other gripping dramas both large and small. This is a "small" drama, to be sure, but none the less intense and intriguing.

A plot theme emerges here treated the way a great noir director of the 40's might have treated it--pathological youth violence, a real social problem often glossed over {Rebel Without A Cause, for example) or in later 1960's films glamorized and turned into the iconic images for a new generation.

But here it is--stark, vicious, mindless, and cruel just because people can get away with it. This is a brave and unflinching film and a real treat for those who appreciate the genre. Keep your expectations modest and it will surprise you quite happily!