99 RIVER STREET (1953)

This time around, John Payne is a tough prizefighter in another film for director Phil Karlson. A familiar tale of a “man against the world.” George Zuckerman's story is pretty far-fetched, certainly not routine. If this Edward Small production falls short of being a great movie, the spot-on performances allow one to overlook any clichés. The budgeted studio sets with perpetually wet city streets were a standard device to give a city life. The painted or rear-projected buildings are present to add depth. There is a noticeably odd “processing” near the climactic harbor scene, perhaps a sliced-in partial rear projection in front of a cargo ship. In fact, the cargo ship also looks suspicious.

Though Payne starred in a gritty, career-changing film before, he is believable as a guy beaten down inside and outside the ring. Payne is on a career roll, leaving behind his lighter characters. There is never a dull moment. The boxer's volatile temper, blunt dialogue, and realistic action catapult the film above the average film noir. I found the opening boxing scenes more believable than the over-the-top Rocky Balboa bouts. Though both films seem to use the same sound effect of punching a cardboard box with a pillow inside. Because of the potential loss of sight in one eye during his championship fight, Payne's heavyweight career comes to an end. Three years on, he is now a taxi driver with dreams of owning his own service station. His wife, Peggie Castle, is a nagging, unsympathetic woman who blames him for her lack of social importance and her personal career crusher. Owning a lowly gas station is the "last round" for her. Castle is already two-timing with a jewel thief and murderer, Brad Dexter. No secret to Payne after witnessing their passionate embrace.

Jay Adler moonlights as a backroom jewel fence, incognito as a pet shop owner. He refuses to pay off Dexter for his latest jewel delivery, not only for killing the original owner but primarily because he brings Castle into the mix. Adler tells him there is no deal if a woman is involved. Emotional attachments have a way of altering the endgame. Dexter takes his “advice,” and her cold body is found in the back seat of Payne's cab. Not exactly a typical fare. The cab company's manager is Frank Faylen, a longtime loyal friend of Payne. He is instrumental in helping Payne elude the police with a taxi shell game. 

Playing an aspiring actress, Evelyn Keyes has two supporting roles with Payne. Besides being his co-star, she is a frequent taxi fare. When she finds out about his predicament, she wants to help, but he is reluctant. Keyes' attractiveness lies in her character portrayals more than in being naturally beautiful. It is of no concern whether her face is filmed from one side or the other. She also desperately wants a Broadway part and reels Payne in on her accidental  "killing" of the play's producer. He becomes a sucker, she gets the part. He is so angry over the live "audition," he punches out nearly the entire production staff out of embarrassment. He hopes to never see Keyes again, too.

Jack Lambert, Adler's muscle, below, has a good turn as well. He has developed a sense of humor despite his line of work. Calls everyone at gunpoint, “kiddies.” His fight scene with Payne is worth noting. Suspecting he is in with Dexter, he slaps Payne around from behind, who is slowly coming to a full boil. Lambert becomes his punching bag. He completely did not anticipate the jackhammers hiding at the end of Payne's arms. Poor Lambert is repeatedly blasted over furniture and becomes wall décor, after a fashion. It is well-choreographed, vicious, and believable. 

Adler and crew are 

Payne is picked up after the butt-end of a revolver from a revengeful Lambert, forcing him into Adler's vehicle and taken to 99 River Street. They all wait for Dexter to exit a diner. Adler wants his fifty grand back. Payne explains to the confused mob about his frame-up, then all bullets have Dexter's name on them. Continuing to hone her acting skills, it is Keyes's role-playing that lures Dexter out of the diner. Dexter makes a run for it, with Payne taking a bullet in one arm. Nearly passing out when in pursuit, his inner voice recalls his trainer's advice: never give up. One arm is plenty, and Dexter is soon down for the count. 

Note: The film closes a year later with Payne and Keyes married. He finally owns his gas station, with Faylen as his right-hand man again, arranging for the cab company to buy all their gas from the station.