elia kazan and one of the best theater director this country ever have and show he be equally at home with movie . with panic in the street and mr. kazan give u an early version of what would come later and with perhaps his master piece and on the waterfront and although both movie share only the water setting and for they be different vision about different subject . mr. kazan shoot on location in new orleans . the adaptation by daniel fuchs of the edna and edward anhalt story that be the basis of the film and be remarkable in that it take u to place that no tourist dare to see when visit the big easy . one of the big asset of this film be the magnificent black and white cinematography by joseph macdonald that show new orleans at it best . also the music by alfred newman and the song by billie holiday give the proceeding a nice touch . this film and could have be shoot in new york and or another northern big city because it present u with character that speak more like broklynese than maybe a southern accent one might hear in that part of the country . one thing come clear in the movie and jack palance and make his screen debut and smolder the screen every time one see him . he be so intense . at the same time and this tough guy show a tender side of him when he go to see his sick partner and who unknown to him and be stricken with a fatal disease . blackie and comfort this man caress his sweaty face and run his hand through the die man greasy hair with abandon . notable also and be the fact that mr. palance and mr. mostel appear to have be do their own stunt and something so refreshing because both actor make it seem real . the film also present a normal side with the introduction of the reed family at the beginning of the film . we see a family man paint furniture with his young son . later he and the wife discuss how it appear they can not make end meet with his salary and something that many family have to deal with on a daily basis . richard widmark and play a normal person be not as effective a when this actor play more cunning and intense people . barbara bel geddes and a the wife and sound a though she a suburban woman from connecticut . the film be enjoyable thanks to mr. kazan direction and the excellent cast work in the movie .