* * * * (Out of * * * *)
1. The Phenix City Story (1955)
2. 99 River Street (1953)
3. Gunman’s Walk (1958)
(I saw it on an old VHS tape)
4. Kansas City Confidential (1952)
5. Scandal Sheet (1952)
* * * 1/2 (Out of * * * *)
1. The Brothers Rico (1957)
2. 5 Against the House (1955)
cinematiccoffee 
Having seen Kansas City Confidential on tv recently I’d say the Coen brothers are fans of this film. The way that John Payne talks himself into and out of trouble reminded me a lot of the way Gabriel Byrne does the same in Miller’s Crossing, and also the scene with a dumb guy getting wise to a smart talker seemed like the inspiration for the confrontation with Eddie the Dane. Or maybe that’s just me.
Karlson’s 1950’s work is filled with great “B” films. Great **** selection!
It is possible that some of the mannerisms of John Payne’s character in Kansas City Confidential could have creatively influenced Joel and Ethan Coen when they wrote Gabriel Byrne’s character for Miller’s Crossing. I heard some influence reportedly came from Dashiell Hammett’s Red Harvest. Speaking of Phil Karlson, The Phenix City Story was introduced on Moviedrome back in the day 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I could not agree with you more 🙂 Walking Tall is very good, but it lacks the subversive qualities of his 50’s work. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I need to check out The Phenix City Story. It sounds like my kind of flick. I liked Kansas City Confidential and appreciate Walking Tall as a gritty, exploitation film that was just commercial enough that it blew up into a huge success. That’s not an accident, of course; it’s the mark of a master director doing more with less.
I could not agree with you more on that last sentence 🙂 I think you will love The Phenix City Story 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂