Shubunka (Barry Sulivan) is a cynical racketeer running the grimmy Neptune Beach waterfront. Rival Cornell is looking to move into his territory. Soda shop owner Nick Jammey runs his numbers. He is obsessed with his nightclub singer girlfriend Nancy Starr. Dorothy is the sweet shop cashier. Shorty (Harry Morgan) is the braggart soda jerk.
I know that Shubunka is supposed to be world-weary, but I would like him to be more charismatic. Maybe he could show more brutality or more humanity, either way. This is almost like a dreary play. I do like this when Shubunka becomes the underdog. This is an unconventional noir. I really like this when his situation slowly deteriorates and everybody turns their backs on him. There is something compelling about slowly losing and losing.
0 out of 0 found this helpful