Detective Story is a 1951 Film Noir drama directed by William Wyler and starring Kirk Douglas. It tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad incorporating heavy elements of Police Procedural. The story is based on the 1949 play of the same name written by Sidney Kingsley, where Douglas's role was originated by Ralph Bellamy.
In the NYPD's 21st Precinct, various criminals are booked after being arrested: a shoplifter is brought in after stealing a purse from a department store; a pair of burglars with extensive criminal records are captured by a policeman; the small-time embezzler Arthur Kindred is booked without any resistance. The tough Det. Jim McLeod (Douglas) is an honest cop with uncompromising moral principles and a code of honor, who loves his wife Mary (Eleanor Parker). McLeod is near to concluding a case against an abortionist, Dr. Karl Schneider (George Macready), with the testimony of the man's former assistant and one of his former patients. However, the former is bribed and the latter dies in the hospital before she can testify. An enraged McLeod brutally attacks Schneider, who insinuates to McLeod's chief, Lt. Monaghan (Horace McMahon), that the problem is personal and gives the name of Mary McLeod. Monaghan invites Mary to come to the precinct for a private interview, and soon deep inner secrets are disclosed, leading to a tragedy.
Film debut of Lee Grant, who appears as a shoplifter. Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director (Wyler), Actress (Parker), Supporting Actress (Grant), and Screenplay (Philip Yordan and Robert Wyler).
This film provides examples of:
- Abortion Fallout Drama: Jim McLeod is a police officer with a jones to bust an abortionist (when, being in the '50s, abortion is a criminal offense). The doctor assumes McLeod is out to get him because the doc once performed an abortion of Mrs. McLeod. Not so! McLeod didn't know about that at all. When McLeod finds out, he's more upset because his wife had the abortion before they met. The head of the Hays Commission tried to rain down hellfire on the film, saying that abortion was such an evil that you couldn't even discuss it in a film even if you were portraying it in a fairly negative fashion.
- Black-and-White Insanity: McLeod views the world this way, even refusing to give a break to a man who embezzled a small amount of money despite the victim not wanting to prosecute. He tells them that he'll commit another crime and another until he's like the gibbering idiots they've also arrested. His world collapses when he finds out his saintly wife knew men before him, became pregnant, and had an abortion.
- Da Chief: Lt. Monaghan.
- Extremely Short Timespan: The story spans one 8-hour shift at the police station.
- Freudian Excuse: We learn that McLeod turned into such a bitter and cynical person because of his experience with his psycho father who drove his mother into insanity. He allegedly did try to be a reasonable cop at first, until one young crook he shown lenience on ended up committing murder in another robbery shortly afterwards, trampling any sense of empathy McLeod had for the people he brought in. Mary later points out how similar to his father he has become over the years.
- The Grovel: After calling her names McLeod makes up with his wife. It only works for a couple of minutes until he ruins it again with his Hair-Trigger Temper.
- It's Personal: McLeod is recurrently implied to have personal motives for his zeal against Schneider, which culminates in the reveal that his wife got an abortion through him. It turns out to be subverted however, McLeod didn't even know about this initially, his treatment against Schneider was just his usual Blood Knight temperament. Who knows how worse Schneider might have suffered if he had known.
- One Phone Call: Generously, the lady shoplifter is granted three calls.
- Police Brutality: McLeod gives Dr. Schneider a good beating when they are alone in the police car.
- Police Lineup: Done to convict Schneider, but it turns out the witness was bought and doesn't recognize Schneider in the line-up.
- Police Procedural: The movie shows the everyday routine of the 21st Precinct, the issues they have to deal with, from petty complaints by citizens to minor felonies to major crimes.
- Reality Has No Soundtrack: There is no score besides opening and closing credits.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Before leaving him for good, Mary gives this speech to McLeod about his vile nature which she has overlooked for so long:Mary: You think you're on the side of the angels? Well, you're not. You haven't even a drop of ordinary human forgiveness in your whole nature. You're a cruel and vengeful man. You're everything you always said you hated in your own father.
- Saying Too Much: After McLeod assaults Schneider, his lawyer angrily confronts him and Monaghan, outraged a cop with biased personal connections has been left in charge. Realising his slip, he quickly decides to leave when Monaghan questions this.
- Slut-Shaming: What McLeod does to his wife, which causes her to walk away.
- Suicide by Cop: Suicide by criminal. While it could be seen as a Heroic Sacrifice, McLeod's main motivation for confronting the criminal at the end was rather an act of desperation after Mary left him. note
- Threat Backfire: Schneider's lawyer threatens to sue McLeod after assaulting his client. McLeod jeers at him to do just that, since then he can have Schneider squirm in court too. Outraged, the lawyer complains to Monaghan about McLeod's personal vendetta with Schneider, realising too late he's slipped too much info.
- Tragic Hero: McLeod is a good guy but his Dark and Troubled Past has made him a cynic with a Lack of Empathy and has paved the way to his doom.
- Turn in Your Badge: Lampshaded by McLeod when he asks Lt. Monaghan if he wanted his badge when being called into his office.
- Ultimate Job Security: McLeod's violent behavior should have gotten him fired a long time ago, but Lt. Monaghan keeps him hired for being good at his job.
- You Do Not Have to Say Anything: Schneider's lawyer advises him to say no more than his name and address.
