sol

(2012-04-29 18:52:29)

Ethics! Don't you choke when you say a word like that!

***SPOILER ALERT*** Painstakingly building up a case against MafiaKingpin Benjamin "Benji" Costain, Loren Greene, Federal ProsecutorLlyod Hallett, Edward G. Robinson, has one of his fellow mobstersTonelli, Alfred Linden, willing to testify against him if all charges,which are in the hundreds, are dropped in exchange for his testimony.Tonelli never lives to get to the courthouse with him being gunned downby an unseen sniper on the very steps of the New York Supreme CourtBuilding as he was being escorted there by a number of federal agents.Desperate to get the sly and slippery Costain convicted of anything inorder to have the big time hood deported to his native Italy as anundesirable alien Hallett comes up with a brainstorm of an idea. Thelate Tonelli's former girlfriend Sherry Conley, Ginger Rogers. Sherryis serving time in an upstate woman's prison for aiding and abetting ina payroll robbery.It turns out that Sherry together with her then boyfriend Tonelli wereon Costain's yacht where he helped slip into the states a fellow MafiaDon or Godfather. This major Italian gangster was to help Costain inhis illegal dealings back in the USA. With Tonelli murdered only Sherrycan implicate Costain in that illegal smuggling act. That in itself isenough to send Costain back to Italy where he'll be immediatelyarrested, for smuggling criminals out of the country, by the Italianpolice.Ginger Rogers minus her usual song and dance act is incredibly good asthe though talking and gourmet eating, loving expensive and exquisitesea food dishes, Mafia moll Sherry Conley. Being hidden in a midtownhotel Hallett has given local NYPD Detective Vince Striker, BrianKeith, and a squad on policemen the job to make sure that Sherry liveslong enough to make it to the courthouse to testify against Costain.Sherry who at first was not at all willing to testify is soon convincedto do so. That's when her friend and administrator at the prison she'sstaying at Mr. Willoughby, Katherine Anderson,is gunned down by, andwhom Det. Striker gunned down in return, one of Costain's men whoattempted to murder Sherry. ***SPOILER ALERT*** It's then that weregiven the surprise to end all surprises in that one of those guardingSherry is in the pay or pocket of Benji Costain and is in fact settingher up!Tense and nerve wracking next to final scene with Sherry's life hangingin the balance as she's unknowing being targeted from inside her, whatSherry thinks, police secured hotel suite. It takes a change of heartfor the person who's setting Sherry up for the kill to finally come tohis senses, as well as morals, to take out her attempted murderer butat what turned out to be the cost of his own life.One of the best post WWII Film Noir's to come out of Hollywood yet"Tight Spot" is nowhere as popular, since its rarely shown on TV, asmost of its fellow black and white police crime dramas which arenowhere as good. Edward G. Robinson is at his best as FederalProsecutor Llyod Hallett who despite not knowing that there's a worm,or traitor, working with him senses that something isn't on the up andup. That's when Hallett is told by the person setting up Sherry abouther being transfered out of her hotel-room to a local prison within thehour. A fact which only Hallett and the New York State Governor, ThomasE. Dewy?, were supposed to knew about at the time! Brian Keith as Det. Vince Stiker is both heroic and funny as he defendsSherry from Costain's hoods and at the same time puts up with hershenanigans by giving into her every wish. Like in what food, not fromyour local McDonalds, Sherry want's sent up to her hotel-room forbreakfast lunch and dinner.Ginger Rogers steals the show as the confused terrified and in the end,by standing up to the sneering Benji Costain in court, steadfast SherryConley. In what has to be the best scene in the movie Sherry confrontsher selfish sister Laura, Eve McVeagh, whom Hallett unwisely sent intoher hotel-room in order to talk Sherry into testifying against Costain. It turned that Laura was anything but accommodating to Hallett and theFeds in fact she was, afraid in what Costain would do to her and herhusband, totally against Sherry testifying! This major miscalculationturned out to be a stroke of genius on Hallett's part. It was Laura'sself-serving conduct that eventually, when everything else failed, gotSherry to finally agree to testify against Costain. That was more tostick it to Laura, who never as much as sent Sherry a postcard whileshe was in prison, then anything else's and to Hallett's completesurprise it worked like a charm.

(2012-04-29 03:28:21)

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.

me_runner

(2012-04-28 03:32:15)

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...

Terrell-4

(2012-04-27 19:56:55)

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.

(2012-04-26 23:04:52)

A brilliant thriller like they don't make any more.

There was a time when Brian Keith was the "hot young leading man" of hollywood. In his finest dramatic performance, Keith portrays a policeman who has sacrificed his principles. Ginger Rogers is equally great as a gangster's moll gone straight. Edward G. Robinson, in a change of pace, is a dedicated crime fighter. This film, made on a "B" budget proved to be the sleeper of the year. The violence is in the mind of the viewer and the performances uniformly excellent. This is a not-to-be-missed movie!

dougdoepke

(2012-04-26 16:16:09)

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.

jwpappas

(2012-04-21 03:57:55)

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

(2012-04-20 12:56:30)

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.

Bucs1960

(2012-04-11 19:35:15)

Karlson Misses On This One

Phil Karlson, that auteur of the tight little b/w crime film, missesthe boat with this one. I am probably going against many of thereviewers on these boards but I just didn't see much to like here.Ginger Rogers who could act (and obviously dance)was usually an assetto any film in which she appeared. She is so damn annoying in this roleas the tough-talking jailbird and former girlfriend of a famous crimeboss, that I hoped they would succeed in killing her off before she gotto testify at the trial. She talks and talks and talks, ad infinitumand is just a little too "tough" to be believed. The claustrophobicsetting in a single hotel room didn't help. You just couldn't escapethat voice. However, I'll admit she looked great and she was coming upon 50 years of age Edward G Robinson, who never gave a bad performance, again wove hismagic as the DA determined to get Ginger to the stand. Brian Keith,gets a passing grade for his appropriately named cop.....Vince Striker.Lorne Greene, as the mob boss, is surprisingly menacing and is a longway from Pa Cartwright.This isn't a bad film but it's not a good film. If it weren't for thestars, it would fall into the "B" category. That's not always bad sincethere are some fantastic movies in that category. This would not havebeen one of them.

moonspinner55

(2012-04-11 05:53:09)

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 ****

whpratt1

(2012-04-04 05:58:32)

No Dancing or Singing for Ginger

Never viewed this film and greatly enjoyed the acting of Ginger Rogers,(Sherry Conley) who played a rough and tough gal who was serving aprison term and she was involved with a big named mobster in New YorkCity. Edward G. Robinson, (Lloyd Hallett) plays a law enforcementofficer and his sidekick is Vince Striker, (Brian Keith). Lloyd istrying to find a witness he can use against the mobster, Ben Costain,(Lorne Greene) in order to send him to prison for life. Lloyd discoversthat Sherry was his girl friend, so he arranges to get her out ofprison in order to testify. However, many witnesses have been killedalready, so they hide her in a hotel room and try to protect her. Theentire story is about protecting Sherry and Ginger Rogers gives anoutstanding performance. Good Film.

bob-1070

(2012-04-03 17:47:51)

Mostly predictable, should have been better

As many reviewers have noted, Ginger Rogers was too old to pull offthis role, and her career of playing good girls works against her here-- a real "bad girl" type would have helped the believability of thestory and character.The location filming in the opening sections is very good, which hurtsthe film because the over-lit hotel room set where most of the storytakes place looks awful in contrast. Phil Karlson directed some decentnoir films, so it's a shame that there isn't any inventive lighting togive this stage-bound film some more style.A major problem here is that the characters simply aren't very smartabout their situation, so I found myself asking "why don't they dothat?" more than once. Lorne Greene is terrific in a small part as the Crime Boss; Brian Keithis good, Robinson is solid but not particularly memorable, and the filmhas one terrific scene between Ginger and her sister. Otherwise, exceptfor one twist, I found the plot very predictable and I knew exactly howit was going to play out within about 25 minutes. So in the end, it'sjust okay, but certainly not something I'd ever watch again.

bmacv

(2012-03-29 00:20:59)

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.

howdymax

(2012-03-28 12:28:48)

Every clichГѓВ© 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.

terry_knapp

(2012-03-26 02:50:50)

Enjoyable Vehicle for Ginger

Ginger Rogers' performance (straight out of "Roxie Hart") makes thisfilm. Others have found Ms. Rogers to be too old for the film. I thinkthat the fact that she is a bit "past her prime" adds to her character,which has (let's face it) been "around the block" a few times. She andBrian Keith (doing his patented tough-as-nails copper) make a potentteam. It is a pity that they did no more work together. The film itselfis a strange mixture of Rogers' comic sass and Karlson's brand ofhard-hitting melodrama. Ultimately, the film is sunk by an unbelievableplot contrivance that leaves the audience feeling betrayed. However,the performances (including, of course, Robinson's) make this aworthwhile experience.

planktonrules

(2012-03-25 15:53:05)

Wow...this one was a surprise...

This is one of the best roles in the latter portion of Ginger Rogers'career. She is an incredibly earthy and entertaining bad girl--completewith a nice accent and a lot of sass. While a somewhat similar role wasgiven to her a decade earlier with "Roxy Hart", this film was prettyawful and lacked any sense of believability. In "Tight Spot", however,she gives a first-rate performance in a film where I expected verylittle.The film begins with Rogers being taken from her comfy prison cell andshe's whisked away to a hotel room. This is because the prosecutor(Edward G. Robinson) is intent on convincing her to testify against agangster (Lorne Greene). However, she has no intention on making a dealwith anyone, as she knows if she testifies she's a dead woman.Assisting Robinson in this is a matron (who you see very little of) anda detective (Brian Keith). Keith seems to have contempt for her anddoesn't hide it. However, Robinson treats her like a lady and hopesthis will loosen her resolve. A bit later in the film, however, there'san interesting twist, as Keith and Rogers seem to be developing somechemistry. Just at that interesting moment, an assassin is spotted atthe window--many floors from the street below. The assassin beginsshooting wildly--hitting the matron and Rogers. Rogers miraculouslyescapes but is even more determined not to testify. What happens nextwas really exciting and quite a twist. However, I'll say more, as Idon't want to ruin the film for you.Overall, this is a very well written noir-like film. Tough dialog andsome nice surprises make this one worth seeing--with nice performancesall around. A nice little surprise of a film.

(2012-03-22 10:14:12)

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.

David

(2012-03-21 12:55:35)

A Rough Little Noir With A Fine Cast

Ginger Rogers is good as the tough-talking woman sprung from prison totestify in a trial. What a strange career she had! Best known for hermovies with Fred Astaire, she was also a delightful comedienne. She didsome serious work in her prime, winning an Oscar for an only-OK soapopera. But she's good in "Primrose Path." She turned tough in many ofher fifties outings, and she looked tough too. Here she has sort of apixie haircut that doesn't quite work with the character and isn'tflattering to her. But she's excellent.Edward G. Robinson, billed second to her, is superb. He always was.That man was incapable of giving a bad performance, no matter how oddlycast he might have been at times. Brian Keith, whom many know for sunnyoutings in later television, is exceptional as a very tough cop. Hereally is the focus of this movie, though the Rogers character is thelead.Who in the world was Lucy Marlow, who got fourth billing? It saysprison girl. Hmm. The woman playing the matron, Katherine Anderson, isimportant to the plot. She is very touching as well.Lorne Green is another actor who played some mean hombres before hebecame the benevolent dad on TV's "Bonanza." His character is lessnuanced than the one he plays in "Autumn Leaves." But he does well byit.Phil Karlson was an excellent director, who had some of the nastiest,darkest, roughest noirs of the fifties under his belt. This is amongthe best of them.

(2012-03-19 08:31:07)

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.

blanche-2

(2012-03-19 01:20:43)

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.