Detective Story (1951) is an American drama directed by William Wyler and starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, and William Bendix. The supporting cast includes Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Lee Grant, and Joseph Wiseman. This was the film debut for both Grant and Wiseman.
The film takes place over one day at a New York City
police station. Kirk Douglas plays a tough detective who, in his pursuit of
criminals, leads him to discover a secret that could destroy his marriage and
career.
Click HERE to watch the film on the Internet Movie Archive
.
Click HERE to join the online discussion on May 5, 2025, at
6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an email with a link to
join the discussion on Zoom.
 |
| Kirk Douglas and Eleanor Parker |
Detective Story trivia
- The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Eleanor Parker and Best Supporting Actress for Lee Grant.
- Alan Ladd was originally offered the role of Detective McLeod.
- The film is based on the Broadway play that ran for 581 performances. Ralph Bellamy starred as Detective McLeod.
- Joseph Wiseman and Lee Grant recreated their stage roles.
- Cathy O’Donnell and Gladys George were directed by William Wyler in The Best Years of Our Lives.
Discussion questions
- Do you think the play transferred to film successfully?
- Eleanor Parker is on screen for just over 20 minutes but it was enough for her to get a Best Actress nod. Do you think she deserved it?
- What did you think of Kirk Douglas’s performance as the detective?
- The movie has an amazing supporting cast. Did any one performance stand out to you?
- Did anything about the film surprise you
- Would you recommend this movie to a friend?
No comments:
Post a Comment