99 River Street
99 River Street

Movie spotlight

99 River Street

1953
Movie
83 min
English

A former boxer turned taxi driver earns the scorn of his nagging wife and gets mixed up with jewel thieves.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Phil KarlsonGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A down-on-his-luck New York City taxi driver, who moonlights as a small-time gambler, is drawn into a dangerous web of crime and murder. He becomes entangled with a femme fatale who is involved in a plot to do away with her wealthy husband. As the driver tries to clear his name and escape the clutches of the criminals, he finds himself framed for murder and desperately fighting for his life.

Critical Reception

99 River Street is a well-regarded entry in the film noir genre, praised for its suspenseful plotting, gritty atmosphere, and strong performances, particularly from John Payne. While not as widely known as some of its contemporaries, it has gained a cult following among noir enthusiasts for its effective blend of classic noir tropes and thrilling action sequences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its taut pacing and suspenseful narrative.

  • John Payne's performance as the beleaguered protagonist is a highlight.

  • The film effectively captures the dark and cynical mood of classic film noir.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this older film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in New York City, which contributed to its authentic and gritty atmosphere.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Like so many boxers before him, "Ernie" (John Payne) discovers that wealth and fame are fickle things. He loses an heavyweight fight and is soon driving a taxi to make ends meet. This does not sit well with his selfish and pretty nasty wife...

John Chard

John Chard

Keep your theatre and the rats in it. 99 River Street is directed by Phil Karlson and adapted to screenplay by Robert Smith from a story by George Zuckerman. It stars John Payne, Evelyn Keyes, Brad Dexter, Frank Faylen, Jay Adler, Eddie ...