13 West Street (1962)

When a rocket scientist (Alan Ladd) runs out of gas in a deserted neighborhood, he is attacked and beaten by a group of juvenile delinquents. But they are well dressed and educated and appear to be from good homes rather than the stereotypical "bad kids". Unsatisfied with the investigation by the detective (Rod Steiger) in charge of the case, he takes matters into his own hands. Based on the novel THE TIGER AMONG US by Leigh Brackett and directed by Philip Leacock (THE WAR LOVER). The movie suffers from a weak script and the usual heaviness of "social message" movies but it's not without interest. The outrage of Ladd's obsessed vigilante is understandable but the film shows him as a man falling apart in both his career and marriage because of the incident rather than a DEATH WISH avenging angel. Unfortunately, Ladd isn't a strong enough actor to convey the nuances to make his character interesting. Steiger on the other hand gives one of his understated performances and allows us to see the pressures he works under. With Dolores Dorn (inept) as Ladd's wife, Michael Callan, Margaret Hayes, Jeanne Cooper, Chris Robinson and Stanley Adams.