although this small film kind of get lose in the wake of on the waterfront and edge of the city can certainly hold it own with that star stud classic . it another story about the dock and the code of silence that rule it . next to the corrupt union that lee j. cobb run in on the waterfront and jack warden be really small time corruption . but he real enough a the gang bos on one of the dock who intimidate the other worker by be handy with his fist and the bailing hook and he get the rest to kickback part of their hard earn money . and it all hard earn money in that job . one guy warden can not intimidate be sidney poitier another gang bos and when he try to intimidate newcomer john cassavetes and poitier take him under his wing . the two develop quite the friendship and poitier and his wife ruby dee even fix cassavetes up with kathleen maguire . warden be truly one loathsome creature and it sad how by sheer force of personality and physical prowess he cow almost everyone else into submission . in that sense he tough than lee j. cobb who do have to rely on an impression collection of goon to enforce his will in on the waterfront . edge of the city mark the big screen directorial debut of martin ritt who do a great job with a good cast of new york base player and spot on location cinematography . the film low budget do show and but youre so impressed with the ensemble cast you do not really care . cassavetes a the loner with a past and the hip and tough poitier be both fine and but my personal favorite in this film be ruby dee . she should have get some award for her performance and her final scene with cassavetes be outstanding . catch this one if ever possible . i wish it be out on dvd or vhs .