I, the Jury (1953)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Absolutely the worst movie.

Blistering performances.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Quite a surprise, this one, based on the Mickey Spillane book, done very much in the film noir style and shot in 3-D! Actually watching this flat it is only the opening with the dying man crawling towards the camera with his hand reaching forward that I was aware of the 3-D origins and we are swiftly on to an absorbing thriller. Not as tough and sexy as the book but a really decent effort with some super shadowy location filming. Biff Elliot, of whom I had never heard, is fine in the lead, if not sensational but the crackling dialogue and constant action keep things moving along nicely while Peggie Castle is great as the femme fatale. Low budget and maybe nothing too special but tight and bold. Very likable.

This is a Mike Hammer film written by Mickey Spillane—so you know you're in for a very gritty crime film. However, of all the incarnations of Hammer I have seen, this one has the most unknown cast I can recall—no one is an easily recognizable Hollywood actor in this film—though Alan Reed (Fred Flintstone's voice), John Qualen, Elisha Cooke and Joe Besser (the absolute worst of the Three Stooges—and so annoying that he only made a few shorts with them) appear in the movie. Whoever Biff Elliott is, he was cast in the feature role. The film does have some good things going for it—classic film noir lighting, fighting and dialog. Spillane sure knew how to write tough dialog and Hammer's commentary is quite enjoyable—that is, when Hammer isn't beating information out of suspects! "I, The Jury" begins with some poor shmoe getting shot at close range by some assailant—who the killer is, we do not know. It turns out the victim is one of Mike Hammer's friends—and Mike is determined to get them. This is personal…and Hammer is mad. Along the way he meets lots of odd characters as well as some ultra-hot and bothered women! It's all quite enjoyable but also a bit talky and the plot is a bit confusing unless you play close attention. Overall, it's worth seeing but not a great noir film.

I got the chance to see this film today in a movie theater in its original 3-D glory. And WOW- not NEARLY as mediocre as you've heard. The audience LOVED it- what WAS bad dialogue is now hysterically camp. Biff Elliot (the screen's first Mike Hammer) was in attendence, full of vigor at age 80. A charming man, some wonderful anecdotes about his Hollywood experiences, but in his first film, he doesn't cut it. However, the supporting cast is wonderful- Peggy Castle is not only beautiful, but does a wonderful film noir dame. And my almost-Mother-In-Law Margaret Sheridan turns in outstanding support as Mike's secretary Velda...sexy & wise-crackingly smart(she retired in the early 60's to be a housewife and mother to two daughters- unfortunately, she passed away from cancer in 1981). A lot of "B" stars show up, like Elisha Cook Jr. and Joe Besser(the great tie-in to Joe was the 3-D Three Stooges short PARDON MY BACKFIRE which was also shown). And, as for the 3-D, it was rarely shown in that format, and the print shown was definately worn by time, but while there was no mandatory "throw it in your face" shots, the 3-D emminently added to the film's mood, with some wonderful photography, especially in L.A.'s Bradbury Building. I will definately check this one out again, albeit in it's "flat" version!

This was a normal tough as nails PI on the hunt flick of the times...With many familiar faces, Nestor Paiva, Peggy Castle, John Qualen, Preston Foster, etc. There's nothing much that stands out, watch it on AMC or whatever sometime and you will swear you have seen it before, even if you haven't.Point of trivia-Biff Elliott apparently lived in the Northern Maine town of Presque Isle(where I'm from actually), and word has it they premiered this flick there in '53! It was a big time celeb event, for a town of about 12,000 at the time-it hadda been as if the Super bowl had come to town!** outta ****.