Panic in the Streets
Seen it?1950 | 96 min | Thriller, Crime
Friday Night Flickearly ratingWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved A Streetcar Named Desire or The Naked City, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1950: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A medical examiner discovers that an innocent shooting victim in a robbery died of bubonic plague. With only 48 hours to find the killer, who is now a ticking time bomb threatening the entire city, a grisly manhunt through the seamy underworld of the New Orleans Waterfront is underway.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Story. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$850K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 24K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Pickup on South Street
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A Streetcar Named Desire Friday Night FlickAlso from director Elia Kazan, though it's a different kind of film: a critically acclaimed thriller.
The Naked City
Saturday SpecialAnother crime thriller that's easy to miss.
Brute Force Sunday Safe BetAnother crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Sorcerer Saturday SpecialAnother thriller, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Elia Kazan
- Richard WidmarkLt. Cmdr. Clinton 'Clint' Reed M.D.
- Paul DouglasCapt. Tom Warren
- Barbara Bel GeddesNancy Reed
- Jack PalanceBlackie
- Zero MostelRaymond Fitch
- Dan RissNeff - Newspaper Reporter
- Tommy CookVince Poldi - Younger Brother
- Wilson Bourg Jr.Charlie - Sailor (uncredited)
- Beverly C. BrownDr. Mackey - Board of Health (uncredited)
- Lewis CharlesKochak - Murder Victim (uncredited)