I The Jury (1953)

After an old war buddy (Robert Swanger) is shot in the stomach and left to die, a detective (Biff Elliot) vows to find his killer and make them die the same way. A guest list from a recent party of the murdered man provides a roster of suspects. Based on the 1947 novel by Mickey Spillane and directed by screenwriter Harry Essex (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON). In 1953, Spillane's detective Mike Hammer was at the height of his popularity and this was the first Hammer novel adapted for the screen. Ironically, the same month (August 1953) that I THE JURY opened so did the musical THE BAND WAGON which contained a perfect parody of the Spillane books. Watching it today, I THE JURY seems like a spoof on the genre itself rather than the real thing. Elliot's Hammer is a brute who as soon kick your face in as shake your hand (unless you're female). The stone faced Elliot with his tough talking monotone voice comes off as a caricature. Much better are two of the film's ladies: Peggie Castle as a femme fatale psychiatrist and Margaret Sheridan as Hammer's wry secretary. For fans of film noir, this should temporarily satisfy their craving but two years later, the best Hammer film Robert Aldrich's KISS ME DEADLY showed how Hammer should be done. Originally released in 3D, John Alton's (AN AMERICAN IN PARIS) B&W cinematography is perfect, however. With Preston Foster, Mary Anderson, Alan Reed and Elisha Cook Jr.