4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on November 3, 2018

“Who are you, God? Didn’t you ever make a mistake?” – Cathy O’Donnell as Susan Carmichael Counselor at Law (1933) was an early William Wyler film from the 1930s that shares some cursory similarities with this feature. Along those lines, Detective Story proves to be an   read more

The Stop Button Posted by Andrew Wickliffe on July 10, 2016

Detective Story, the film, is William Wyler’s “production” of Sidney Kingsley’s play of the same title. Philip Yordan and Robert Wyler adapted the play. Wyler directed and produced the film. It is a stage adaptation and proud of it. The phrasing above is directly adapted fro   read more

Pretty Clever Films Posted by Brandy Dean on May 2, 2014

William Wyler’s 1951 police procedural Detective Story will feel familiar to modern viewers (think Homicide: Life on the Streets, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, etc), but it’s important to remember how truly ground-breaking the film was in it’s day. Based on the Broadway play of the   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on September 11, 2011

There are no rain-swept streets in Detective Story (1951). Most of the film’s action takes place on a single set, on a single day, in a New York City precinct. There are no blinking neon signs that intermittently illuminate darkened rooms. The film depicts no mercenary femme fatale who transforms...   read more

Noir and Chick Flicks Posted by monty on April 20, 2010

Flixster - Share MoviesOne day in a New York City police precinct where all kinds of people intersect. Kirk Douglas is the tough detective who is dealing with a case involving an abortionist. It also has a shoplifter, two dangerous burglars, and an embezzler. A taut in your face crime...   read more