Hey pals, this isn't to be overlooked. It boasts a great performance by Robinson. Maybe there's too many subplots and it sure could have done without the love story, but this is a film worth searching for.
I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me.
It's been a long time since I've seen Black Tuesday (1954), but it's one of my favorites, maybe number one.
My understanding is there may not be a good, complete copy of this film. Too bad, because I would like to get a copy of it--especially on DVD.
Actually, I think the romantic sub-plot that Edward G. Robinson (EGR) had with Jean Parker help make this story. Parker was quite good in her role as EGR's gun moll, especially in the beginning of this movie when she was at the death house guard's (Norris) house. Here, Parker gave a chilling, cold-blooded portrayal of EGR's girlfriend after she explained to Norris about his kidnapped daughter, demanding a trade-off. Norris gets his daughter and Parker gets Vince (EGR). EGR and Parker are portrayed here as "two peas in a pod."
I would also like to state that the actor Frank Ferguson did an excellent job of portraying Police Inspector Hailey in this movie, especially when he tells Father Slocum (Milburn Stone) at the warehouse, "God forgive Father, but there's nothing I can do" when the kidnapped witnesses/hostages were being threatened with systematic execution every 30 minutes until the demands of the escaped death house prisoners were met.