Tight Spot (1955)

I must have had some expectations about this one since I DVR'd it when it was on TCM. Not sure if it was just a title I didn't recognize, or the fact that it featured Edward G. Robinson, who's always good. In any case, even though it doesn't really cover any new territory, it does contain some fine performances by Eddie G., its other headliners Ginger Rogers and Brian Keith, and also its supporting cast which includes Lorne Greene, Katherine Anderson, Doye O'Dell, and Eve McVeagh as Rogers's estranged sister.Rogers plays streetwise and sassy Sherry Conley, who's in prison where she's serving the last 11 months of a 5-year sentence until government prosecutor Lloyd Hallett (Robinson) has her moved to a luxury penthouse apartment the weekend before his big case to export gangster Benjamin Costain (Greene). The well-connected gang leader had successfully eliminated all previous witnesses to his criminal activities, the last just before his extradition trial, hence Hallett's desperate and expensive enticements to get Sherry to testify. She's treated to room service meals, hot showers, her own room and even gets to watch television, though there's only a telethon with a goofy cowboy (O'Dell) on the air.While each of the aforementioned characters is in a "tight spot", it's then revealed that Vince Striker (Keith) is perhaps in the "tightest" spot of all. He's the cop assigned to protect Sherry, even though he's been on the take from Costain for 10 years. Vince, who's initially dismissive of Sherry calling her "sister", becomes more and more attracted to her as they hole up in the apartment over the weekend. Both are lonely and rough edged individuals who find a mutual physical attraction as well. Vince not only buys Sherry a dress, he actually protects her from one of Costain's thugs, killing him in the process but not before Sherry and prison matron Willoughby (Anderson) are wounded in the process.It's Willoughby's subsequent death from her injuries that enrages Sherry so much that she agrees to testify, forcing Vince to make a fateful decision.

Everyone from the Director to the Well Worn Stars have done Better than this Half-Baked concoction of ill conceived notions in a mostly Chamber Pot Set. The Claustrophobia is ruined by cheap shots at Television that lighten the proceedings way too much.There are some effective Scenes and Set-Ups that evoke Film-Noir, but don't be fooled, this is another of those Fifties Crime Stories that are only echoes of that Cynical and Dark Post-War Genre. By the Mid-Fifties the Ambiance of Noir was Fading Fast and Purist will find only a few Films that can proudly be welcomed in the Pantheon.Ginger Rogers is the thing here. It is Her Movie and nothing will get in the way. More than a few times, in this Mediocre Movie, She goes over the top and leaves everyone else and everything trying to catch up. It all becomes rather tedious with some Standout Stuff peppering the proceedings. Worth a Watch but it it is an almost realized Success that never quite is.

Never viewed this film and greatly enjoyed the acting of Ginger Rogers, (Sherry Conley) who played a rough and tough gal who was serving a prison term and she was involved with a big named mobster in New York City. Edward G. Robinson, (Lloyd Hallett) plays a law enforcement officer and his sidekick is Vince Striker, (Brian Keith). Lloyd is trying to find a witness he can use against the mobster, Ben Costain, (Lorne Greene) in order to send him to prison for life. Lloyd discovers that Sherry was his girl friend, so he arranges to get her out of prison in order to testify. However, many witnesses have been killed already, so they hide her in a hotel room and try to protect her. The entire story is about protecting Sherry and Ginger Rogers gives an outstanding performance. Good Film.

Ginger Rogers is in a "Tight Spot" in this 1955 film directed by Phil Karlsen and also starring Edward G. Robinson, Brian Keith and Lorne Greene. Rogers plays Sherry Conley, in prison for harboring a fugitive. When the big witness against a mobster (Greene) is killed, she's asked to be a witness against him so that he can be deported. She realizes the danger, but stalls in making her decision because she's in a hotel and can order room service and take private showers. Also, one of her guards, Vince (Keith) is attractive and there appears to be a chemistry there. After a couple of murder attempts, she wants to go back to prison."Tight Spot" isn't exactly an "A" movie; it's more like a B+ - it's filmed in black and white and fits into the noir genre. However, it's based on a play, and it's obvious - the scenes aren't opened up at all, and there's a ton of dialogue. It doesn't appear that Karlsen directed either Rogers or Eve McVeagh very well. Both actresses approach their roles as if they're doing them for stage; the effect is over the top.Ginger Rogers was a wonderful actress and a very versatile one. Like all female film stars, the roles became a little less interesting after she turned 30 and all but disappeared when she turned 40. She's 44 here, playing someone younger, and she is very effective if a little overdone in parts. Robinson is great as usual, and a young Keith gives a relaxed performance. Greene was cast as a villain often until he played Pa Cartwright. At the age of 45 when the show started, he was 13 years older than Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts). After that, he played fathers, and producers didn't care whose father -Ava Gardner's, for instance, in Earthquake. He was seven years older than Ava. He does a good job here in a fairly one-dimensional role.All in all, okay.