Set in New York during the 1880s, this is the story of an honest newspaperman (Gene Evans) who starts up The Globe, an opposition paper to compete with his former employer (Mary Welch), publisher of a “yellow journalistic” daily.  The Globe’s surprising success leads to a violent newspaper war.

CRITIQUE

It’s said that writer-producer-director Samuel Fuller broke the basic rule of filmmaking when he made Park Row (1952).

He financed the picture with his own money ($200,000.00)…and lost every cent.

A “B” movie, it played at the bottom half of double-bills, at least in Seattle where I saw it when it was first released.  I was only eleven-years old then, but I do remember enjoying that film.

Watching Park Row again recently (on DVD) for the first time since I saw it in a theater, I must say that I still find the movie to be quite informative and entertaining, albeit a bit on the preachy side.

This was Fuller’s “love letter” to the newspaper profession.  Though most of the key characters are fictional, he does touch on some actual events (e.g. the controversial funding drive to construct a base for the Statue of Liberty, Steve Brodie’s spectacular jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.) and also provides a quick history lesson on the early days of American journalism.

For such an inexpensive film, Park Row, obviously filmed on a sound stage, does a good job of capturing the time and place where legendary figures of the newspaper business carried out their trade.

Gene Evans and Mary Welch, who reminds one of Jennifer Jones, are fine as the heads of the two warring newspapers, however the romantic aspect of their relationship is a bit misplaced and results in an ending that strains believability.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, Park Row moves along at a nice clip, holds your attention and is certainly one of the better “B” movies of its era.  And, frankly, I think it’s more pleasing than many of the films that are coming out of Hollywood today.

THE VIDEO

As part of MGM’s “Limited Edition Collection,” this is a “burned,” as opposed to a “pressed” DVD, and is manufactured from the best elements available, when you order it from Amazon.com.

The full screen black-and-white picture is quite sharp.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital Mono Sound is crisp and clear.

THE EXTRAS

Featuring the film’s theatrical trailer.

FINAL THOUGHT

Park Row might be a bit preachy, but this is an enjoyable “B” movie.