13 West Street

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.

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.

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

Alan Ladd, Rod Steiger, Michael Callan, and Delores Dorn star in "13 West Street," from 1962.

This was Alan Ladd's last starring role, and, frankly, it was heartbreaking to see him. He looks all washed up and shows the effect of his alcoholism. He plays an aeronautics engineer. Walt Sherrill, who comes up against some juveniles and is badly beaten by them, left with a broken leg, a concussion, and other injuries. The biggest injury seems to be to his psyche.

Dissatisfied with the progress of one Detective Koleseki (Steiger), Sherill hires a private detective (Stanley Adams) to help track down his attackers. The kids seem to be from a good school and good families.

It's not long after he returns from the hospital that he and his wife (Dorn) begin to receive threats, warning them not to continue the investigation. Sherrill is driven to take the law into his own hands, to the consternation of Koleski and Mrs. Sherrill.

Juvenile delinquency was a hot topic in the 1950s. Of course, what was considered juvenile delinquency then - souped up hot rods, talking back to parents and teachers, and chewing gum, seems like good etiquette now. Here, Michael Callan, Chris Robinson, and Arnold Merritt are spoiled kids whose parents let them get away with murder. Landry (Callan) is the one with no conscience, and he has control over the other kids.

Of interest to me was the Mrs. Cleaver concept of Ladd's wife, Dorn, and the mothers - Jeanne Cooper and Margaret Hayes - being impeccably dressed mid-day and not seeming to do much other than relax by the pool or mixing a drink.

Rod Steiger is excellent as a careful, calm detective who doesn't get rattled easily; beauty pageant winner/stage actress/acting teacher Delores Dorn is lovely as Sherrill's wife.

Alan Ladd had a short but very successful career. He had a Grapes of Wrath childhood, he watched his mother poison herself and die, he was of small stature - that he became such a star, had a family, and made it to 50 was a miracle. He left a strong legacy. That's how I want to remember him.

Alan Ladd plays an aerospace engineer who is assaulted by a group of juvenile delinquents. Ladd ignores police detective Rod Steiger's advice to cool his jets and let the police investigate. Ladd instead buys a gun and hunts down the young punks. Based on a novel by Leigh Brackett, screenwriter of "The Big Sleep," "Rio Bravo," "The Long Goodbye," and "The Empire Strikes Back," the story is essentially a lighter version of Brian Garfield's "Death Wish." The punks are not as vicious and the vigilante is not as violent. Still, it's a solid thriller that does have an edge to it and Ladd is compelling in what would be his final leading man role. FUN FACT! At one point John Wayne was announced as a possible choice for the lead in this film after producer Charles Schnee had bought the film rights to the 1957 novel.