"The Turning Point", directed by William Dieterle

Movie, 1952

Crime drama, in which a newly appointed American police head is given a rough time and some uncomfortable home truths as he tries to sort out a local crime ring. This is a film which clips along reasonably well, except for an overlong courtroom scene. If the film's not startlingly original, the trials and journey for the main police character give the whole thing some poignancy. Otherwise, the characters and action are a little flabby, although this doesn't mean the film's too flat to enjoy.

"The Narrow Margin," directed by Richard Fleischer

Movie, 1952

Thrilled set on a train, as a tough Chicagoan cop escorts a gangster's widow to stand testimony in Los Angeles. Solid noir with some really pleasing and tricksy visual effects and a hard edge which eschews title music for the grating, alienating noise of trains and machinery. While visually a treat, the characters include a none-too convincing pastiche here and there - a lumpen criminal in a check jacket and a fat man blocking corridors, and there are parts of the plot which seem underdone in a hurried finish. Nonetheless, great entertainment.