DVD Review: THE HOUSE ON 92nd STREET (1945)

THE HOUSE ON 92nd STREET.

Directed by Henry Hathaway. Starring William Eythe, Lloyd Nolan, Signe Hasso, Gene Lockhart, Leo G. Carroll. Released October 16, 1945

There are several interesting aspects to this blu ray release from Kino Lorber.

First, it stars actor William Eythe in the lead role. Eythe was being groomed as a leading man, but never made enough of an impact and is almost completely forgotten today. He was a good actor, with a striking presence, and it is unfortunate his short life of 38 years didn’t result in great success.

Second, it was produced by Louis de Rochemont, the producer of the March of Time newsreels. Thus, the movie utilizes a semi-documentary style that would permeate police dramas for the next dozen-or-so years, such was its impact.

THE HOUSE ON 92nd STREET is a stirring and effective film noir which deals with an FBI man who works as a double agent to ferret out nazi spies that have infiltrated the United States since the war on Europe started raging. Topical but still impactful decades later, the film benefits greatly from the bleak sets, intense performances, and serious narration that carries the plot.

This story centers specifically on the theft of a formula that can create an atomic bomb. It’s documentary style not only offers fictionalized accounts of genuine incidents, but some transitional footage of actual events. Kino Lorber’s blu ray release not only offers a sharp image and full, loud soundtrack, it gives us, as a special feature, commentary by film noir expert Eddie Muller.

Now, in the 21st century, there is a historical significance to a movie like THE HOUSE ON 92nd STREET. It offers a perspective from wartime that reveals some of the exploits that were happening on the home front. As cinema, it gives us some of director Hathaway’s most impressive noir work, which argues against the idea that he was most comfortable in the western genre (SONS OF KATIE ELDER, FIVE CARD STUD, TRUE GRIT).

The blu ray can be purchased here.