The Glass Wall (1953)

Director:  Maxwell Shane

Writers:  Ivan Tors, Maxwell Shane

Composer:  Leith Stevens

Starring:  Vittorio Gassman, Gloria Grahame, Ann Robinson, Douglas Spencer, Robin Raymond, Jerry Paris, Elizabeth Slifer, Richard Reeves, Joe Turkel, Jack Teagarden, Shorty Rogers, 'Snub' Pollard

More info:  IMDb

Tagline:  It's a 10-Hour Manhunt Through the Jazz-Joints and Sin-Spots of New York!

Plot:  Peter, a WW II 'displaced person' about to be deported jumps ship in New York harbor in an effort to find an ex-G.I named Tom whom he helped during the war and can prove Peter's right to legal entry in the United States. It is a race against time for if he can't find Tom within 24 hours and prove his case, he will be branded a fugitive and will be permanently disqualified for U.S. citizenship.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again? No.

All but the last twenty minutes are very good and suspenseful.  And that's a shame.  Gassman (as Peter) does a great job showing his internal pain and struggle.  He's most convincing.  Once he escapes the ship, he's in NYC and soon in Times Square where he marvels at the sights (as do we, which is great seeing NYC from more than 60 years ago.  He pops in and out of hot spots with all kinds of electric activity in the jazz clubs.  That was neat.  It wasn't until he meets a burlesque dancer, Tanya, that it starts to drift from the thrust of the story.   She feels sorry for him, takes him home to rest, meet her mother (who is Hungarian, just like Peter) and spends time giving us more humanity when we'd already had a healthy dose earlier when he spent time with Maggie (who also felt sorry for him and took her home to rest).  It feels like more of the same except for the the immigrant family angle.  Then it's a race to the finish as he makes his way to the UN building where he somehow makes it inside to the general assembly room for a speech to no one and then onto the roof to kill himself.  That final act felt like it needed an overhaul.  It's paced well which helps.  I didn't find it dull in the least.  Plus, as a musician and a fan of the big band era, it was great seeing Jack Teagarden and Shorty Rogers.