The Midnight Story

1957

Action / Crime / Drama / Film-Noir / Mystery / Thriller

2
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 80%
IMDb Rating 6.7/10 10 1161 1.2K

cop film noir murder priest

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Plot summary

Beloved priest Father Thomasino is murdered in a San Francisco alley, and the police have few clues. But traffic cop Joe Martini becomes obsessed with finding the killer; he suspects Sylvio Malatesta. Ordered off the case, Joe turns in his badge and investigates alone. Soon he is a close friend of the Malatesta family, all delightful people, especially lovely cousin Anna. Uncertain whether Sylvio is guilty or innocent, Joe is now torn between old and new loyalties.

Director

Joseph Pevney Photo
Joseph Pevney

Top cast

John Indrisano Photo
John Indrisano as Card Player
Tito Vuolo Photo
Tito Vuolo as Grocer
Tony Curtis Photo
Tony Curtis as Joe Martini
Chuck Hamilton Photo
Chuck Hamilton as Cop
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
822.78 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
TV-PG
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds ...
1.49 GB
1920*816
English 2.0
TV-PG
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by John Chard 7 / 10

This Martini is shaken but not stirred. The

This Martini is shaken but not stirred. The Midnight Story (AKA: Appointment With A Shadow) is directed by Joseph Pevney and written by Edwin Blum and John Robinson. It stars Tony Curtis, Marisa Pavan, Gilbert Roland and Jay C. Flippen. Music is by Joseph Gershenson and CinemaScope cinematography is by Russell Metty. When a San Francisco priest is murdered, friend of the priest, Joe Martini (Curtis), a traffic cop, gets a hunch and ingratiates himself into the family of the man he thinks is responsible. Somehow it has become one of those 1950s black and white crime movies entered into film noir publications. It doesn't belong in that particular filmic chest, but it does ask to be sought out by fans of such 1950s fare. In actuality it's a whodunit? Thrusting a handsome and restrained Curtis into a murder mystery while his emotions get whacked from all sides. Filmed (joyously so) and set in Frisco, the makers never once play their hand to reveal what the finale will bring. The everyday life of a working and loving Italian-American family is vividly brought to life, luring us in to their world as intrigued but concerned observers - the North Beach District a sweaty backdrop just waiting to spill its secrets. Pevney keeps things brisk, never letting things sag, even as the inevitable romantic thread dangles (it's 1950s Tony Curtis after all), there's always an air of suspicion and mystery pulsing away in the narrative. Curtis fronts up for dressage, but delivers promise on an interesting role, but it's Roland's movie all the way. A damn fine turn that only comes to being in the final quarter. In support there is the sturdy presence of Flippen and Ted de Corsia, both of whom leave a telling mark. Each and all building to a finale, which may not contain the wallop one had hoped, but strikes a positive note and rounds it out as a film to seek out. 7/10
Reviewed by CinemaSerf 6 / 10

Tony Curtis is a keen San Francisco cop

Tony Curtis is a keen San Francisco cop ("Joe") who is convinced that the killer of a local priest is none other than local crab fisherman "Malatesta" (Gilbert Roland). There's no evidence, though, and that man has a fairly cast iron alibi. His boss "KIlrain" (Ted de Corsia) tells him to forget it but he can't, so he quits and with a bit of off-the-books help from his sergeant "Gillen" (Jay C. Flippen) he sets out to ingratiate himself with his suspect. Against all the odds, they actually start to bond, and after a short while the older man suggests that "Joe" moves into the family home where he fits in well with "Mama" (Argentina Brunetti) and takes a bit of a shine to the tempestuous daughter "Anna" (Marisa Pavan). The longer he associates with this family, the more convinced he becomes that his hunch was wrong. Then, out of the blue, his old boss gets in touch with some startling information... Curtis is quite engaging here, as are the enthusiastic Pavan and Roland and as the story moves along we are all drawn into the seemingly delightful family scenario. There's a twist waiting for us. It's not one that's entirely unexpected but it quickly hurls us towards an ending that I found just a little rushed and disappointing. This is a solid story that just about manages to keep the romance at bay while the noir-elements prevail, and is still worth a gander.
Reviewed by boblipton 6 / 10

Gilbert Roland Steals The Show

A beloved parish priest is knifed in an alley in San Francisco. Motorcycle cop Tony Curtis asked to be transferred so he can investigate; the priest had been a tremendous influence on him at the orphanage. He's turned down. At the funeral he spots Gilbert Roland - harboring the unfortunate name of 'Malatesta' - and has a hunch. His superiors put him on leave, and he gets on Roland's good side, moves into his home, and falls in love with with Roland's cousin, Marisa Pavan, while trying to find some reason to confirm his suspicion.It's clearly a Tony Curtis vehicle, but as soon as Roland steps onto the screen, he pushes The star off. In fact, the only way for anyone else to get their time on. Screen is to have Roland someplace else. He's big, he's boisterous, he's good-hearted, and loves everyone, particularly the dead parish priest. What a mistake for any actor to agree to be in a movie with him!Besides Gilbert Roland, this movie features some nice location shooting in San Francisco, which is completely recognizable, despite never showing the Golden Gate Bridge, cablecars, Union Square or the Transamericabuilding (that last had not been built yet).
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