“14 Hours” (1951) starring Paul Douglas and Richard Basehart / Z-View
14 Hours (1951)
Director: Henry Hathaway
Screenplay: John Paxton; based on The Man on the Ledge by Joel Sayre
Stars: Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Debra Paget, Agnes Moorehead, Robert Keith, Howard Da Silva, Jeffrey Hunter, Martin Gabel, Frank Faylen, Jeff Corey, James Millican, Donald Randolph, Richard Beymer, John Cassavetes, Ossie Davis, Leif Erickson, Brian Keith, Rusty Lane and Grace Kelly.
Tagline: From the edge of the ledge he defied them all!
The Plot…
Robert Cosick (Basehart) has climbed out on the 15th story ledge outside his hotel room. Cosick is threatening to jump. The first officer on the scene is street cop Charlie Dunnigan (Douglas). Dunnigan begins talking to Cosick in an attempt to get him to come back in.
When Dunnigan’s Chief and the police psychologist arrive, Dunnigan is sent back down to help with crowd control. Cosick refuses to talk with anyone but Dunnigan, so he’s brought back up.
On ground level a crowd has formed. It’s a circus atmosphere. Some want Cosick to jump while others are betting on the time he comes off the ledge.
As the minutes turn into hours, the chance of a safe outcome grows smaller. The clock is ticking…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
14 Hours features the film debut of Grace Kelly, Joyce Van Patten and John Cassavetes. In addition, Jeffrey Hunter, Brian Keith and Ossie Davis have bit parts.
14 Hours is based on a real incident from 1938. After a 12 hour standoff, a man jumped 17 stories to his death.
To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
