52 Pick-Up (1986)

“So long, Sport”, 16 November 2020

Successful businessman, Harry Mitchell (Roy Schieder), finds himself the target of blackmail after he has an affair.  The situation escalates when he refuses to pay up.  The blackmailers turn the tables on Mitchell making him the prime suspect in a murder.  Can Mitchell get out of his hopeless situation?

Wow - what a nice discovery!  Overall, 52 Pick-Up is a really strong film.  Based on an Elmore Leonard novel and screenplay, director John Frankenheimer created an extremely effective, tension-filled noir-like film.  It’s the kind of movie where no one gets off easy and everyone comes out damaged in the end.  The murder of Mitchell’s mistress was much more brutal than I was expecting.  And the scene where the baddie breaks into the Mitchells’ house - what an amazing sequence.  It was all so much grittier, dirtier, and raunchier than I could have imagined.  Other than a shot or two of Mitchell’s house, I don’t remember seeing a film that portrays Los Angeles in such a negative light.  We see the seedy side of LA in all its glory.  Instead of movie stars and mansions, 52 Pick-Up is filled with back alleys, adult movie houses, and abandoned warehouses.  It’s really a well-written and well-directed film.

The film's baddies epitomize nastiness. John Glover is Alan Raimy - a smarmier dude never existed.  He’s the kind of guy you’d like to punch in the face the minute you meet him.  Robert Trebor is Leo Franks - the weak-link in the group. He may seem like a clown, but I wouldn’t turn my back on him.  Finally, there’s Clarence Williams III as Bobby Shy.  He’s the muscle and the last guy you’d want to meet in a dark alley.  Schieder and Ann-Margret may be the “names” in the film, but Glover, Tregor, and Williams (and the city) are the real stars.  Also, pay attention to 80’s icon Vanity in a small, but important role.  I never imagined she would be this good.  

Finally, I’m confused as to why Doug McClure is even in this film.  He has about 30 seconds of screen time and about 10 words of dialogue.  Did he need the work that bad?

Other than a couple of minor contrived moments near the film’s climax, I’ve got nothing to complain about.  A strong 8/10 from me.

8/10