13 West Street

This is an above average programmer that benefits from decent, if predictable, performances by Alan Ladd and Rod Steiger. Ladd is a rocket scientist who gets mugged on the way home from a late night at the office by a roving band of Beverly Hills punks led by Michael Callan. What follows could be considered Death Wish 1962, as Ladd pursues the villains whilst police officer Steiger tries to keep him under control. Good photography by Charles Lawton Jr. and a reasonably interesting George Duning score make this one to watch on a cold winter's night.

It was not very long into viewing this film that Alan Ladd was at the end of his career in Hollywood, his problem with Alcohol were starting to get the best of him in his eyes and face and even makeup could not hide the demon's he was facing in real life. Walt Sherill,(Ladd) plays the role of an aerospace engineer and very successful and married to his wife, Tracey Sherill, (Dolores Dorn) in a very nice home in the suburbs. One night as Walt is leaving his office he runs out of gas and starts to walk to a telephone when he is almost run down by a speeding car driven by delinquent juveniles. Walt yells at them and they proceed to go back to Walt and beat the living day lights out of him. It is from this point in the film which becomes very interesting and Rod Steiger, (Det. Sergeant Kileski) gives an outstanding supporting role which makes this picture a success. It is sad to say that this was Alan Ladd's last starring role in Hollywood and two years later he passed on to a greater stage.

This is one of Alan Ladd's last films, and his age is showing. But his acting is more than adequate, and it's a pleasure to see him in a role like this (aerospace engineer, husband) rather than "Gun for Hire", "Shane", "Blue Dahlia", "The Iron Mistress". etc. So much of his work was done in costume, he looks strange dressed like a suburban professional.

As Alan Ladd's last starring role, this was a pretty good way to finish his all-too-short career. While it's not the best thing he ever did, it is one of his better films. Unfortunately, for me, a real fan of Ladd, it's also a bit tough to watch because he's obviously suffering the effects of advanced alcoholism--with a puffy look about him and slightly slurred speech. In addition, at times his performance was a bit limp--though at other times, particularly at the end, he was able to rouse some of that old Alan Ladd energy and anger.

The film is about a decent man who through no fault of his own is badly beaten by a group of young spoiled rich thugs. The problem is that the information on who did this was scant so catching the thugs looked uncertain. Plus Ladd had a lot of trouble getting on with his life--particularly when members of this little gang began threatening him and his wife. From that point on, Ladd is a bit like Captain Ahab--with an almost incessant need to find and punish the teens. Surprisingly, Rod Steiger underplays the role of a decent detective who is investigating the case (he sometimes seemed to overact in some films--here he was perfect). He's trying his best to find the boys AND keep Ladd from getting himself in trouble for being a vigilante.

Add to this basic plot decent acting, a very good and suspenseful script as well as a very adult plot for 1962 and you've got the formula for a very good drama--far better than many of the mediocre films Ladd had been making through much of the 1950s and 60s.

I was very surprised with "13 West Street". I found it both believable, and well-performed. It's amazing to see Alan Ladd's character correctly identify his as a "hate" crime. The way the director makes us (and the characters) think all teenagers are members of the five who attacked Mr. Ladd was nicely done.

The successful older man coming to terms, perhaps, with his increasing vulnerability is a great film subject. Ladd seems to understand this, and it becomes part of his performance. His physicality (whatever real health concerns he is having) is successfully incorporated into his performance.

Ladd's younger "trophy" wife really cares for him, and is unsure how to handle the unfolding events. Rod Steiger is great as the police detective assigned to the case -- watch how he turns over the newspaper when he confront the bartender. There are a lot of nice little touches like that -- from the director and/or performers… watch all their little mannerisms; they all fit the characters, and add to the believability.

There are more unexpected, and riveting, events. Are they implausible? In a 1962 film, perhaps they seemed so, but the decade ended with crimes and criminals significantly more "implausible". Accepting the situation is believable, there are some flaws which keep this from being a perfect film. I would have preferred "Chuck" to be a Charles Manson-type psycho, and could have done without the "Teenage Terror" angle. There are also some necessary "budget" restrictions.

They made the absolute most out of the budget they had, though. Highly recommended!

********* 13 West Street (1962) Philip Leacock ~ Alan Ladd, Rod Steiger, Michael Callan, Dolores Dorn