The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Splendid virtuoso noir film of only superior qualities right through, while names like Ben Hecht as the script writer, Otto Preminger's direction, Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews guarantee something truly worth while. The story is typically bleak: a police officer will do anything to clear himself from the stain of his father's criminal record and constantly overdoes it, and it's his melancholic destiny this film is all about. Does he get through as an honest man, although he commits terrible mistakes? His comfort is Gene Tierney, who stands by him mainly because of his flaws. Above all, the script is brilliant in its subtlety, an intricate web of destiny's awesome mechanisms, which reach an impressing finale with Andrews' final confrontation with the typically abominable villain chief, who doesn't deserve anything less than being butchered, which Andrews is indeed entitled to do, but, of which Andrews is the expert, he has to control himself although you can feel his inside fury. Top score, especially for its atmospheric settings and brilliant script.

Featuring a tough cop, Where the Sidewalk Ends starts like any usual homicide investigation film-noir. It also includes a crime-boss, a few clashes, an attractive female-lead, romance affair and a serious crime. But, the film transcended my expectations as it proceeded further. The best thing about the film is the character of its protagonist. Dana Andrews once again plays the hot tempered detective here but his character is much more complex than in Laura. The story brilliantly develops around this character and his actions. The romance affair is also portrayed nicely without interrupting the flow and all the supporting characters suits well. Gene Tierney was magnificent once again but sadly her scope is quite limited this time.The key feature of this film is the way it covers different shades of its lead character. Dana Andrews does his part brilliantly. Like any common man, his character has a few weaknesses which leads to a serious crime. The story is carefully handled and proper emphasis is given to regrets and decisions of its protagonist. This clearly stands out and we get much more from the film than what its premise promises. Climax is equally good giving it a solid finishing note. Another Compelling noir from Otto Preminger.

Otto Preminger directed this film noir that stars Dana Andrews as detective Mark Dixon, recently demoted for roughing up too many suspects. He is determined to take down gangster Tommy Scalise(played by Gary Merrill) but instead knocks out another suspect, inadvertently killing him. Dixon then covers up the crime, but in the ensuing investigation, finds himself falling for the man's widow Morgan(played by Gene Tierney) whose father ends up charged with the crime he committed. How can he clear him, court her, take down Scalise, and escape punishment himself? Involved thriller works well, with fine acting and compelling story, effectively re-teaming Andrews and Tierney.

I only had an interest in watching this because of the title, it's also that poem book by SHel SIlverstein, and I love him. But i was pleasantly surprised at how much i actually liked this movie. Otto Preminger gives a superb example of just what a good film noir is all about. The main character is a rough cop who accidentally kills someone, and must cover up the tracks while still being a good guy and trying to win the heart of the widow of the man hes killed. It makes for a dramatic and interesting watch. The best little plot twist is that the wife's father is suspect number 1 in the murder of her husband, and the detective is trying to clear the innocent man while not getting in trouble himself. It's a pretty classic textbook film noir kinda of movie. My favorite part of this movie is just how calm and intelligent Dana Andrews pulls off playing the detective.