Madigan inspired me to become a detective in NYC Police
the film was great and very real as I have found out in my career in
police work. Ive watched it several times and the actors all played realistic parts, and yes I did become a detective and a very succesfull one. I believe Richard Widmark is still alive and living in connecticut My one wish is to meet him.. 
Police officer needs help--forth with.
Richard Widmark is mad--again. On edge. Angry, too. The reason for his
discomfort: a skell by the name of Barney Benish has lifted his service weapon and escaped. Rocky, Madigan's partner, has lost "two weeks pay" for the same reason. Henry Fonda, the no-nonsense "P.C.",has given them 72 hours to find Benish, retrieve their weapons and place him under arrest. Gone in the wind, the desperate bad guy has nothing to lose. Where is he? Perhaps "shacked up in some pad, tee-veeing it with some broads to take his mind off the commercials." Madigan does have a flair with the words--and the women. Never underestimate the tough, clever Madigan. He knows the streets well and is not afraid to bend a few rules. The Police Commissioner is another story: he plays everything close to the vest and by the book. Off the job, however, his emotional lapses center around a love affair with a married Susan Clark. Not smart. In contrast, Madigan visits an ex-girl friend in order to catch some sleep. "I love Julia" (his wife), he moans softly before dozing off to dreamland. The movie is sharply paced: even when it goes off the rails a bit when it touches on the day-to-day business of a working urban precinct. The beautiful, ornate, and domed "old" police headquarters (its now pricey co-ops) is featured in one early shot. I believe the movie inspired the gritty cop dramas of the following decade (think Kojak, Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, and even 'Vegas). Madigan's wife is played by the tragic Inger Stevens. Sad. Way-out fun: when Madigan needs some hot information from the "Midget", he heads for Coney Island. Coincidentaly, Warren Stevens--no relation--shows up briefly at a Policeman's Ball (no kidding). He is employed as an emergency escort of sorts for a very tipsy Miss Stevens. She wants to dance up a storm. Madigan doesn't mind. He has other business to attend to. The movie does have a sadistic bent to it. Could there be more to this flirtation? Just a thought.. |
Trailers: |
