Police procedure was a lot different back in 1952 when On Dangerous Ground was released. Today, if a detective beat up a perp to within an inch of his life the way Jim Wilson (Robert Ryan) does, he'd not only lose his job, he'd probably be prosecuted. But Wilson, lonely, bitter, angry and dangerously close to losing his soul after dealing too long with the dregs of society, merely receives a slap on the wrist from Capt. Brawley (Ed Begley) and is sent to the Big City's version of Siberia - Upstate. "Be a cop not a gangster with a badge," Wilson is told. The film also stars Ida Lupino and Ward Bond.

A young woman has been murdered, and Wilson is assigned to help the local sheriff find the killer. One agonizingly long chase scene after another (thank goodness for the fast forward button) lead Wilson and the victim's father (Ward Bond) to the home of Mary Malden (Ida Lupino). Mary is blind and all too trusting. She awakens the softer, better side of Wilson he thought he'd lost long ago. The twist, of course, is that Wilson and the father - Walter Brent - didn't find Mary's home by accident. The murderer's trail led them there. And Mary is afraid the vindictive father will kill the brother she has given up so much to look after. She begs Wilson to protect her brother.

How will it all end? Will the murderer be apprehended or killed? Will Wilson get the girl or go back to his sad, forlorn life? Will he heed the words one of the police veterans offers: "To get something out of this life, you have to put something into it - from the heart?" The answers can be found in this DVD, but only watch after the little ones have gone to bed. As with most noir films, the violence is implied and off camera, however the subject matter is too intense for younger children.

On Dangerous Ground is part of Warner Home Video's Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 3 that also includes Border Incident, Lady in the Lake, His Kind of Woman and The Racket. Don't take His Kind of Woman too seriously and you'll enjoy it, so will teens. There's too much implied violence for the youngsters.

Special features

• Commentary by Film Historian Glenn Erickson - who reveals that when director Nicholas Ray became ill during the filming, Ida Lupino stepped in and directed several scenes. She blazed the trail for female directors and is considered a pioneer of female filmmakers.

Director: Nicholas Ray 

Writer: A. I. Bezzerides

Cast: Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan, Ward Bond

Rating: Not Rated. Not suitable for younger children

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 2 out of 5 stars 

DVD Release Date:  7/16/2006

Run Time: 82 minutes 

Studio: Warner Home Video

Format: Black & White, Standard Version

Photo credits: Warner Home Video