alex north ( john cassavetes ) have problem in relationship with his father and flee home to join the army and from where he very soon desert and come to new york intending to start a new life and use a an advantage the fact that nobody know about his past . he find a job at the waterfront and where he meet tommy tyler ( sydney poitier ) a lively young man and who be happily marry and be a living contrast to cassavetes sad and unhappy character . they very quickly become good friend and tommy do his best to help his friend . the only problem be that their superior at work and a tough worker charles malik ( jack warden ) be sort of envious of their friendship as well a tommy constant happy disposition and success in personal life . he really manage to make their life difficult when he come to know the truth about alex past . a good drama skillfully direct by academy award nominate director producer martin ritt ( the hud ) and feature wonderful performance from sydney poitier and jack warden . positive .