THE DETECTIVE
US, 1968, 114 minutes, Colour.
Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, Jacqueline Bisset, Ralph Meeker, Jack Klugman, Horace Mc Mahon, Lloyd Bochner, William Windom, Tony Musante, Al Freeman Jnr., Robert Duvall.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.
The Detective was a strong police drama of the late '60s. It preceded the interest in police individuals and groups in the '70s both in cinema and in television series. The film was a collaboration between director Gordon Douglas, a veteran of many action films and Frank Sinatra as a detective. They worked together on the two Tony Rome films: Tony Rome, Lady in Cement. This film is far more serious-minded and was written by Abby Mann, noted for strong police and human dramas.
Frank Sinatra is at home in the role. (He was to try it again a decade later in The First Deadly Sin.) There is a strong supporting cast with Lee Remick as his attractive nymphomaniac wife. Jacqueline Bisset, in an early role, is the wife of a suicide (a role originally intended for Sinatra's then wife, Mia Farrow). Ralph Meeker and Jack Klugman are police, William Windom is the suicide. However, in the supporting cast are such people as Robert Duvall, Tony Musante, Al Freeman, Renee Taylor and Tom Atkins.
The film was notable in focusing on a murder in the homosexual community in Los Angeles. Its dialogue spoke frankly about the gay community and exhibits police harassment of the homosexuals. However, there is also a subplot about civic corruption. The film has the anti-hero pessimistic tone of the late '60s.
1. An effective police thriller of the 1960s? Homosexuals in the city? Status of gay rights in the mid to late 1960s?
2. The work of Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra? Civic corruption? Crime? Mood, heroics, serious-minded? The strong cast? Police work in the city? Musical score?
3. The frankness of the film's dialogue, the portrait of city corruption, the focus on homosexuals, the emergence of the gay community, harassment by police - seen in the subsequent history of the '70s and 18OS?
4. Frank Sinatra's portrait of Joe, seeing him at work, his competence, the investigation of the murder, handling the situation, handling people, keeping off political aspirants? His viewpoint on the murder and his work? Confrontations with the boss? The background of his father and the police force? His eagerness for promotion? His collaboration with his partners: the friendship with Dave and Rachel, reliance on Dave? The corrupt police? The investigation of the gay community, the harassment of the homosexuals and his punching the police officer? Tracking down Felix, chasing him interrogation - more smoothly than the more vicious tactics of his partners? Felix's confession? Going to the electric chair, watching him die? His memories, the meeting with Karen, attracted towards her, the racism of her friends, the race meeting, dates, falling in love, the proposal, marriage, happiness, suspicions, discovering her in the restaurant, her lies, the affairs, his realisation of her nymphomania, separation, going to her for comfort, sexual relationship, relying on talking with her? The possibility of returning to her? The meeting with Norma, the investigation of her husband's death? The discovery of Rainbow? Suspicion of Dr Roberts as a psychiatrist, as financially crooked? Dr Roberts' warning about listening to the tapes? His discovery of the truth? The effect on himself, conscience? with Dr Roberts about protecting Colin McIvor? His making thinks public, resignation, twenty years in the force, choices? Saying goodbye to Norma? Would he return to Karen? Frank Sinatra's screen presence? A picture of American police?
5. Lee Remick as Karen, in herself, attractive, dating Joe, falling in love, the proposal, their married life, her nymphomania and the psychological discussion about her condition, inability to commit herself, relationships, her confession, Joe's inability to stay with her? get his reliance on her, her welcoming him? Her trying to think of a speech to persuade him to come back to her?
6. The Police Chief and his hopes for Joe, his criticisms of him? His black partner and their working together, his taking a firm stand and making him do the work? Dangers? Dave and his friendship, family? Discovery of Rainbow? Robert Duvall as the harassing policeman, the clash with Joe, his punching him? Ralph Meeker as the corrupt p61iceman? The life of the apartment, the precinct? The young officer who nervously shot a suspicious character? The meeting and decisions about him? Attitudes, tough stances? The world of police?
7. The initial murder, its gruesome aspects, the investigation, homosexual community, the glimpse of the gay bars and health studios, the streets, the police-harassment? Tracking down Felix, his escape? The interrogation and the pressure on him? Joe's gentler tone but forcing him to a confession? The court case, Felix's execution and haunting Joe? The wealthy victim, his apartment, lifestyle, the clubs, the woman companion from upstairs? The flashback and Colin Mc Ivor, picking him up, the return to the apartment, Mc Ivor's shame and the killing?
8. Norma and her approaching Joe, Jacqueline Bisset and her style? Friendship with Dr Roberts? The puzzle about her husband's death? Rainbow and the financial deals, the tape and the flashback about Colin, his self-confession, the night of the murder, the dialogue about his self-doubt and torment, bisexuality, hoping to be rid of his compulsion, the homosexuals, the bar, being picked up, the return to the apartment, being taunted, his violent killing of his victim? His allowing Felix to be executed? His suicide?
9. Dr Roberts, the wealthy psychiatrist, his clientele, Joe's suspicions, the financial deals in his name, his warnings about the tapes, his wanting to protect Colin Mc Ivor - and the challenge by Joe about the number of people victimised by civic corruption?
10. Legal deals, businessmen using land deals, victimising others? Their being exposed?
11. The theme of homosexuality on the screen, attitudes of the 1960s? The frank presentation of gays? The violence and the murder? The harassment of the police? Joe's attitude of 'live and let live'?
12. An effective police drama, the plea for law and order, social justice? The perennial relevance of this kind of story?
