Like a previous reviewer, I also like Gale Storm. I can still remember the theme music to her early TV show "The Gale Storm Show". Years later when I saw some of her older films I was struck by how pretty she was as well as being a terrific singer. Even in a Frankie Darro movie ("Let's Go Collegiate" I think) where she only tagged along, she really stood out, especially when she sang. Just imagine if she had been with MGM in some of those heady musicals with grade A productions as well as being surrounded by big stars, she would have really reached the top. But unfortunately she was trapped at Monogram and by the end of the 40s when she was starting to get a few interesting dramatic roles television beckoned. The star of this movie, Edmond O'Brien, was also terribly under-rated, in my opinion - it was his "ordinary guy" looks and lack of artifice in a decade of pretty boys (Robert Taylor, Tyrone Power) that probably kept him from stardom.
It was films like this one that set the high moralistic tone that was followed by TV shows such as "Dragnet", "Lock Up" and "Racket Squad". "Between Midnight and Dawn" attempted a very realistic portrayal of patrol men on the beat and their private lives, complete with the banter and wisecracks that in their stressful work environment they couldn't survive without (they called each other the "gruesome twosome"!!). Barnes (Mark Stevens) and Purvis (O'Brien) are a pair of "prowl car" cops who work the midnight to dawn shift. Barnes still has his humanity but Purvis is hardened, especially when it comes to "low dirty dames" who are involved with the scum of the street!!! A young girl caught up in a burglary gets no sympathy from hard hearted Purvis. His philosophy is that in a year's time she won't be so innocent!!! Barnes is shocked at his partner's attitude.
One thing they both agree on is the honeyed tones of the girl on the switchboard - a girl they have never seen!! Kate turns out to be just as beautiful as she sounds (how could she help it, being Gale Storm)!! and she is also the daughter of a policeman slain in the line of duty. That means initially she is firm in her resolve not to date policemen but of course she is talked around. I felt at first she was drawn to Purvis, but his steely and rough approach especially during a scene where he slaps singer Terry (Gale Robbins) silly to get her to talk, really shocks Kate. Of course with Edmond O'Brien at hand, she is not really going to end up with Barnes. He is neatly disposed of about 3/4 of the way through. Purvis then has about half an hour to find his sensitive side which he does, in a shootout involving a small child and Terry, whose actions cause him to have a major rethink about his attitude and his approach to his work!!
I would really recommend this terrific little movie, could it have been one of the first films to show the unglamorous policing of "prowl car" men?? And also the pity that Edmond O'Brien didn't get the acting kudos he so richly deserved!!
It was films like this one that set the high moralistic tone that was followed by TV shows such as "Dragnet", "Lock Up" and "Racket Squad". "Between Midnight and Dawn" attempted a very realistic portrayal of patrol men on the beat and their private lives, complete with the banter and wisecracks that in their stressful work environment they couldn't survive without (they called each other the "gruesome twosome"!!). Barnes (Mark Stevens) and Purvis (O'Brien) are a pair of "prowl car" cops who work the midnight to dawn shift. Barnes still has his humanity but Purvis is hardened, especially when it comes to "low dirty dames" who are involved with the scum of the street!!! A young girl caught up in a burglary gets no sympathy from hard hearted Purvis. His philosophy is that in a year's time she won't be so innocent!!! Barnes is shocked at his partner's attitude.
One thing they both agree on is the honeyed tones of the girl on the switchboard - a girl they have never seen!! Kate turns out to be just as beautiful as she sounds (how could she help it, being Gale Storm)!! and she is also the daughter of a policeman slain in the line of duty. That means initially she is firm in her resolve not to date policemen but of course she is talked around. I felt at first she was drawn to Purvis, but his steely and rough approach especially during a scene where he slaps singer Terry (Gale Robbins) silly to get her to talk, really shocks Kate. Of course with Edmond O'Brien at hand, she is not really going to end up with Barnes. He is neatly disposed of about 3/4 of the way through. Purvis then has about half an hour to find his sensitive side which he does, in a shootout involving a small child and Terry, whose actions cause him to have a major rethink about his attitude and his approach to his work!!
I would really recommend this terrific little movie, could it have been one of the first films to show the unglamorous policing of "prowl car" men?? And also the pity that Edmond O'Brien didn't get the acting kudos he so richly deserved!!