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Detective Story Overview:

Detective Story (1951) was a Film Noir - Drama Film directed by William Wyler and produced by William Wyler, Robert Wyler and Lester Koenig.

SYNOPSIS

An embittered cop (Douglas) and his mercurial temper affect life in a New York City police precinct. His wife, Parker, suffers from neglect and his sympathetic boss tries to counsel him. Explosive drama takes place almost entirely in the claustrophobic confines of the precinct house. Based on Kingsley's Broadway play, this seminal cop drama was a prototype for everything from Hill Street Blues to NYPD Blue.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1951 --- Ceremony Number 24 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressEleanor ParkerNominated
Best Supporting ActressLee GrantNominated
Best DirectorWilliam WylerNominated
Best WritingPhilip Yordan, Robert WylerNominated
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Detective Story BlogHub Articles:

Detective Story (1951)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 3, 2018 From 4 Star Films

“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 full article

Detective Story (1951, William Wyler)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 10, 2016 From The Stop Button

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 from... Read full article

Detective Story (1951)

By Brandy Dean on May 2, 2014 From Pretty Clever Films

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 s... Read full article

Detective Story: Noir, or Not?

By shadowsandsatin on Sep 11, 2011 From Shadows and Satin

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 full article

Detective Story (1951)

By monty on Apr 20, 2010 From Noir and Chick Flicks

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 drama that fea... Read full article

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Detective Story Quotes:

No Quote for this film.
Detective Story Facts
Film debut of Lee Grant.
Film debut of Burt Mustin.
John F. Seitz shot the last three weeks of production, uncredited.
The USS Juneau, mentioned by Detective Brody, was a light cruiser sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. Its loss was notable for the deaths of five brothers from the one family, the Sullivans.
The play ran on Broadway for 581 performances, from 23 March 1949 through 12 August 1950. It starred Ralph Bellamy as Det. McLeod. Meg Mundy played his wife. Maureen Stapleton played Miss Hatch.
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