Knock on Any Door (1949)

Directed by Nicholas Ray. Starring Humphrey Bogart, John Derek, Allene Roberts, George Macready, Candy Toxton, Barry Kelley, Mickey Knox, Jimmy Conlin, Cara Williams, Pepe Hern, Dewey Martin.

Laughable trial melodrama finds lawyer Bogart defending young punk Derek from a murder charge, blaming society itself for giving troubled youths no choice but turning to a life of crime (“knock on any door” to find their kind). The background of Derek’s law-breaking “victim” is shown through extended flashbacks in the first half; second section moves to the courtroom histrionics where the district attorney (Macready) rattles a saber and the young womenfolk in the stands practically squeal with giddiness at the criminal cutey. Designed to make a name for its hired hunk rather than provide a vehicle for its veteran lead, but Derek is equally woeful trying to play it cool as he is when he blows his top. Pacy but pretentious, although it’s still a little better on average than most of the era’s other hysteria-fueled juvenile delinquency pictures. Based on the same-named book by Willard Motley. Look for a quick appearance by Dooley Wilson (he does not play “As Time Goes By”).

43/100