Panic In The Streets (1950)

Set in New Orleans, when a bullet ridden body (Lewis Charles) in the waters off the docks is examined by a public health doctor (Richard Widmark), it's discovered that he carries a virulent strain of bubonic plague. Directed by Elia Kazan (ON THE WATERFRONT), this racing against time thriller is often categorized as film noir. I wouldn't categorize it as that but hey, that's just me. Kazan shot the film entirely on location on the streets and dives of New Orleans which lends an authenticity to the proceedings. It's a well executed intense thriller as Widmark and Paul Douglas (as a cop) attempt to track down the dead man's killers who are infected with the plague before they can infect more people. Alas, Kazan can't sustain the suspense as the movie's last fifteen minutes are a routine cops chasing the bad guys scenario and the movie goes out with a whimper. Surprisingly, the film did not turn a profit for 20th Century Fox (Zanuck blamed the cost of the location shooting) but the reviews were decent. The film's script won an Oscar for the story's writers, Edna and Edward Anhalt. With Barbara Bel Geddes, Jack Palance, Zero Mostel, Alexis Minotis and Tommy Rettig.