City Across the River

Youth crime, with a bunch of newcomers. One of who looked like a punk Tony Curtis. And it was Tony Curtis! His first screen credit. Not a big one, but he's part of the rebel gang this story focus on and easily the coolest look among them. As for the film itself. there's definitely a lot going on. Some of it perhaps held back by the lack of experience on screen, but at the same time there was an edge to it. And because the lack of star power, I think that's what they were going for.

Well meaning 'message film' is ultimately too heavy handed (especially the opening narration) to be truly effective; it also becomes a murder mystery in its second half, and can't quite reconcile its two different angles to the story. Very well-acted all round, with a fun early supporting performance from Curtis as a neighbourhood tough.