Budapest Classic Film Marathon 2025: City That Never Sleeps

Director: John H. Auer

Screenplay by Steve Fisher
Director of photography: John L. Russell
Music by R. Dale Butts
Cast: Gig Young, Mala Powers, William Talman

Light & Shadow / The Noir and the City

Introduction: Gergő Gazdag, Film handling, digitisation, NFI – Film Archive 

Johnny Kelly, the fresh Chicago cop, has plans: one day he’s going to quit his job, dump his wife and begin a new life with an attractive nightclub dancer. However, his last night on duty turns out to be filled with strange events and even stranger characters. This absolute noir gem shot in original locations and blending dynamic realism and a stylized aesthetic is a favourite of Martin Scorsese, among others. The film’s director is the master of B movies, Hungarian émigré John H. Auer, that is, János Auer, and its cinematographer, John L. Russell, went on to shoot Psycho.

More information on the Budapest Classic Film Marathon's program at Uránia >>