Port of New York (1949)
Customs and narcotics agents trace a stolen shipment of opium from a docked freighter through Manhattan's nightclubs to the smuggling ring's cold, well-dressed leader, ending in a Coast Guard chase across the harbor.
Port of New York is chiefly remembered today as Yul Brynner’s screen debut — cast here, with a full head of hair, years before the shaved look that made him a star. Shot on New York’s actual waterfront in the clipped, semi-documentary style favored by late-1940s crime pictures, cinematographer George E. Diskant’s location photography gives the film a grubby authenticity that outlasts its programmer plotting.
Background
Port of New York is remembered mainly as Yul Brynner’s screen debut, here with a full head of hair, years before the shaved look that became his trademark. László Benedek directed, and Scott Brady and Richard Rober star. The film was shot on New York’s waterfront, and George E. Diskant’s location cinematography gives it the semi-documentary quality typical of late-1940s crime pictures. The result is a grubby, street-level feel that is distinct from the studio-bound crime films of the same years.
What to watch for
The story follows customs and narcotics agents as they trace a stolen shipment of opium from a docked freighter through Manhattan’s nightclubs toward the smuggling ring’s leader. Watch the location photography on the docks and streets, which gives the picture its grimy realism. Brynner plays a supporting role in the operation, and his early performance is of interest to viewers who know his later work. The film ends in a Coast Guard chase across the harbor, a set piece that shows its emphasis on movement through the city. The plotting is procedural, and the agents’ methodical work carries much of the suspense.
