Introduction

Crossfire is a 1947 film noir drama film which deals with the theme of anti-Semitism, as did that year’s Academy Award for Best Picture winner, Gentleman’s Agreement.

The film was directed by Edward Dmytry and the screenplay was written by John Paxton, based on the 1945 novel The Brick Foxhole by screenwriter and director Richard Brooks.

The film stars Robert Mitchum, Robert Young, Robert Ryan, Gloria Grahame and Sam Levene. It received five Oscar nominations, including Ryan for Best Supporting Actor and Gloria Grahame for Best Supporting Actress. It was the first B movie to receive a best picture nomination.

Outline

After he is called in to investigate the brutal murder of Joseph Samuels (Sam Levene), who was found dead at his home, police investigator Finlay (Robert Young) discovers there may be a murderer among a group of demobilised soldiers, who had been seen with Samuels and his female friend at a hotel bar that night.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Keeley (Robert Mitchum), concerned that his friend Mitchell (George Cooper) may be the prime suspect, decides to investigate the murder to clear his friend’s name. To both investigators, each suspected soldier relays his version of that night through flashback. The first to step up is Montgomery (Robert Ryan) and the rest are Floyd (Steve Brodie), Mitchell, and a possible witness named Ginny (Gloria Grahame).

As Finlay and Keeley slowly piece together the fragments of that night, they realise there is one possible motive that may have driven the killer to beat an innocent to death, which prompts Finlay to set up a trap to expose the killer.

Film Inspiration

Richard Brooks never served overseas during the war, instead working in the Marine Corps film unit at Quantico, Virginia, and at times at Camp Pendleton, California. In his two years in uniform he learned more about the basics of film-making, including writing and editing documentaries. He also found time to write a novel, The Brick Foxhole, a searing portrait of stateside soldiers tainted by religious, racial and homophobic bigotry. In 1944 he divorced his wife, then known in films as Jean Brooks. Later he said he had been a self-centred husband and unsuitable for what she needed.

His book was published in 1945 to favourable reviews. It was adapted as the film Crossfire (1947), the first major Hollywood film to deal with anti-Semitism, receiving an Oscar nomination. The novel drew the attention of independent producer Mark Hellinger, who hired Brooks as a screenwriter after he left the Marines.

Production & Filming Details

• Director: Edward Dmytryk.
• Producer: Adrian Scott.
• Writer: John Paxton.
• Music: Roy Webb.
• Cinematography: J. Roy Hunt.
• Editor: Harry Gerstad.
• Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures.
• Release Date: 22 July 1947 (New York City) and 15 August 1947 (US).
• Running Time: 86 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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