Visitors Review

the_old_roman (2012-05-25 06:45)

"There's Never Been a Gal Like Sal From Texas Valley!"

Tight police drama with D.A. Edward G. Robinson trying to protect witnessGinger Rogers from the clutches of evil crime lord Lorne Greene. RogersandRobinson are both marvelously vulnerable beneath their complementary toughexteriors. The direction is tense throughout. The film makes excellentuseof its claustrophobic environs. Brian Keith is also very good as a toughcop.

blanche-2 (2012-05-24 12:44)

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.

Jay09101951 (2012-05-22 06:58)

Nice 50's Noir with a Twist

This film is among the group of "B" crime noir movies that Columbiamade in the early 1950's such as "The Big Heat" and "The Mob". It hasthe same taught story and good acting. Clearly nearing the end of herfilm career, Ginger Rogers is very good playing a mob witness that hashad enough of the justice system and needs to be convinced that bytelling what she knows in court, she can do something good for maybethe first time in her life. It should be noted that Edward G. Robinsonwas trying to recover his lost career after being black-listed by HUACand "B" movies were the best roles he could get until he was cast byCecil B. DeMille in the Ten Commandments after the release of thisfilm. Brian Keith, best known as "Uncle Bill" in the late 1960's TVshow "Family Affair" is also quite good in his role as a police Lt.

planktonrules (2012-05-22 03:04)

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.

aromatic-2 (2012-05-20 12:33)

Taut film noir with excellent performances

Ginger Rogers holds court as Mafia bigwig Lorne Greene's brassy ex-moll.Edward G. Robinson is ideal as her police protector. But, a young andruggedly handsome Brian Keith steals the movie as a cynical policeofficer.The tension is very real in the stuffy hotel room. All the while, anabsurdcountry-western singer croons the same song on a telethon over-and-overagain. This is a classic.

(2012-05-20 02:04)

B movie with academy award acting.

"Tight Spot" was a gem. Unexpected, to me, after the early part of the movie seemed to have an inevitable ending. It didn't turn out that way.Rogers was perfect for the plot, which was perfect for Rogers. Her actual age, 45, was perfect for the age of a society reject who was dragged from prison for one purpose: testify against a murderous criminal. The plot twists weren't brilliant, perhaps, but I did enjoy them, as well as the acting of all the key players.From the acting standpoint, I think Ginger was fabulous. I would give her a ten, on all counts.

DaveSFV (2012-05-17 22:47)

Judy Holliday?

I'm surprised that no one thought that Ginger Rogers was a bit likeJudy Holliday in that she plays a rough and dumb blonde that says somewise and intelligent things. I thought the excellent dialogue kept youinterested in the movie since most of it took place in a hotel room.Although I'm a big fan of Brian Keith, I thought his roll was too"Hollywood" in that in the beginning of the film he and Ginger Rogersintensely disliked each other only to then fall for each other. Howmany films has that happened? Bunch! Robinson was just excellent asalways, no surprise there. Very good movie with excellent dialogue butno real surprises in how it ends.

edwagreen (2012-05-17 11:43)

Tight Spot-Excellent Film Position to Be In ****

Ginger Rogers sheds her usual movie ways and portrays a girl survivinga sentence for hiding a criminal. She is offered her freedom if shewill testify against someone who the government is trying to get.Problem is that her ex-boyfriend has already taken a fatal bullet onhis way to testify.Edward G. Robinson is the D.A. here in this exciting film. There is amarvelous supporting performance by Brian Keith, as the cop, assignedto watch her. Naturally, romance blooms and there is quite a surprisewaiting for viewers when we realize who he really is in this film.Here is a girl telling those in prison to keep their mouths shut and doas little as possible. "Never volunteer" is her motto. How quickly thesituation and her beliefs change.As Sherry Conley, Rogers depicts a girl whose environment led herastray. The film is well worth catching.

me_runner (2012-05-16 02:37)

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...

(2012-05-15 17:53)

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.

(2012-05-06 00:33)

Over verbose but competent thriller

Tight Spot was based on a play and it shows.Most of the action takes place on a single set and there is more dialogue than usual in thrillers of this type.Ginger Rogers plays a prisoner brought to the City by prosecutor Edward G Robinson in the hope that he can persuade her to testify against a mobster whom he is seeking to get deported.She is reluctant and the movie deals with attempts to persuade her ,and the bid by the mob to put the issue beyond all doubt by killing her.Another plot strand covers the growing attraction between Rogers and Brian Keith as the cop assigned to protect her .The movie is weakened by a rather forced performance from Rogers who seems to be trying too hard in a role that needs a stronger dramatic presence such as that of a Stanwyck or a Crawford.Robinson is fine as are the other cast members .It was interesting to see a pre Bonanza Lorne Greene giving an edgy performance as the mob chief.Modest and capable but not a top echelon movie

terry_knapp (2012-05-05 18:17)

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.

David (2012-05-04 10:45)

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.

(2012-05-03 18:46)

Witty dialog, interesting performances.

Tight Spot is a crime suspense movie with a bit of a comedy-drama feel from Ginger Rogers' crackly performance as a streetwise and otherwise wise convict. The situation: Prosecutor Edward G. Robinson has convict Rogers moved from prison to protective custody in a hotel room, guarded by cop Brian Keith, to persuade her to testify against mobster Lorne Greene. Rogers delivers witty dialogue by the truck load in spite of the dangerous situation, and finds a new dance partner in Brian Keith. The witty banter between cop & con as they fall head over heels for each other is entertaining, but unfortunately that detracts a bit from the suspense. Meantime the gangsters bungle their first attempt on her life, killing a police woman in the guard detail. I recommend the movie more for the witty dialogue than for the suspense, and even more than that for the trivia value if you're a film buff - it has both Keith and Greene in some of their earliest major roles, and Rogers and Robinson deliver outstanding performances.

Bucs1960 (2012-04-29 17:21)

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.

David Atfield (2012-04-29 04:50)

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.

MargsMom (2012-04-28 00:57)

Some defects but a good film.

As a big fan of Ginger Rogers', I think this film, although late in hercareer, is rather good. Of course with Edgar G. Robinson as the districtattorney, there's no way this could be bad. The opening prison laundryscenes are more than a little hard to believe (after all, when was thelasttime you were in prison with perfectly manicured nails). Over all, dramaand comedy nicely balanced.

bkoganbing (2012-04-27 17:15)

Another "heart of gold" moll

Ginger Rogers, who was usually more glamorous in her movie roles,invades territory normally occupied by Claire Trevor or Veda Ann Borg.She's a good time gal who happens to be on a pleasure cruise with mobboss Lorne Greene and Greene has smuggled another gangster into thecountry. U.S. Attorney Edward G. Robinson is seeking to deport Greene. Greene's enemies have a habit of ending up dead. And our story beginswith conflicted cop Brian Keith assigned to protect Ginger as Robinsontries to convince her to testify. Rogers's career was on the downside here, but she's still a dynamitepresence on the screen. Robinson and Keith are solid here and who wouldhave thunk of Ben Cartright as a mobster.Nice film, tightly edited, not a wasted frame in it.

pjyork88 (2012-04-23 17:17)

Not buying it, Ginger.

Tight Spot (1955) Dir: Phil Karlson Production: Columbia PicturesFollowing the bold, daytime assassination of a witness, the Feds areleft to make a deportation case against a ruthless mobster solelythrough the testimony of a "smart-talking, brassy, third classcitizen". Said smart talker is Sherry Conley (Ginger Rogers), safe forthe moment in a women's prison and quite unaware of her importance.She's quickly hep to the situation after District Attorney LloydHallett (Edward G. Robinson) procures her temporary release, holes herup in a hotel and gives her the low-down--testify against the mobster,Ben Costain (Lorne Greene), and your sentence gets commuted, or go backto the clink. As the big day in court nears, Hallett not only has toconvince the self-preservationist Sherry to testify, he has to keep heralive. Along for protection is hard-bitten cop Vince Striker (BrianKeith), who gets close enough to Sherry for sparks to fly.Let's be honest, Ginger spouting wise-girl dialogue in the lower classargot of her character is somewhat less than convincing. It soundsexactly like what it is, someone not within a galaxy of that lifetrying it out for the first time--"I don't suppose my civil rights isbein' violated?!" Yeah, right, Ginger. Much better is Alpo fan LorneGreene as 'Costain', commanding, authoritative, menacing (he remindedme of Herbert Lom in NIGHT AND THE CITY). Too bad he's only on thescreen for a few minutes. Edward G. and Brian Keith are also stellar.Ultimately though, the movie is dominated by Ginger's performance. Alot of people like it, so they like the film. Hell, I like almosteverything else about it (bit too much time spent on the willthey-won't they with Sherry and Vince, though). It's nicely shot byBurnett Guffey, with some vintage New York location shots--the openingsequence with the feds escorting a witness through downtown stands out.There is a good twist near the end that is cleverly hinted at earlier.And it's tense and engrossing at times.**½ out of 4

sol (2012-04-23 02:25)

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.