In “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” Detective Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews) is a cop who thinks he can step on the wrong side of the law to bring the bad guys down. But nothing’s that simple in this taut, atmospheric film noir thriller, directed by Otto Preminger. In Dixon’s attempt to frame sleazy villain Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill), he inadvertently casts suspicion on kindly cab driver Jiggs Taylor (Tom Tully) — just as he begins to fall in love with Taylor’s beautiful daughter (Gene Tierney). Dana Andrews epitomizes the angry, flawed leading men of the film noir genre, and looks like he was born to wear a fedora and an overcoat. Dixon eventually finds redemption in a bitter-sweet ending. (95 min.)
Unrated - 1950
Starring:
Dana Andrews
Gene Tierney
Gary Merrill
Bert Freed
Tom Tully
Karl Malden
Ruth Donnelly
Craig Stevens
Director:
Otto Preminger
Writers:
Ben Hecht (screenplay)
Victor Trivas (adaptation)
Frank P. Rosenberg (adaptation)
Robert E. Kent (adaptation)
William L. Stuart (novel)
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