MovieChat Forums > Panic in the Streets (1950) Discussion > Did you like the non-professional actors...

Did you like the non-professional actors?

posted 20 years ago by Dire_Straits
8 replies | jump to latest

Kazan used non-professional actors in many of his films - and he did so effectively. Obviously, neo-realism had a profound effect on his films - and that's a major reason his films come out feeling so real.

Panic in the Streets used a lot of native Lousianians and they add a dramatic chord to the movie.

Did any of the non-pros stick out (good or bad?). There were a lot that stick out on the boat scene, in my mind (all good).

Dire_Straits
lover of all B&W; especially film-noir

[–] RBEdmiston 18 years ago

I thought the Mayor was particularly good. I thought he might actually have been th eMayor of NOLA.

[–] Hey_Sweden 13 years ago

I agree; I thought the man who played the Mayor did a good job.

[–] richsass 16 years ago

I always enjoy the non pro actors that fill in a scene. This movie was similar to Northside 777 where the Polish community filled in the Chicago background.

What are you gonna do? Kill me? Every body Dies. John Garfield (Body and Soul)

[–] teejay6682 15 years ago

i thought it added a nice touch to the film to make it feel more real then films like that being made during that time.

[–] dalmain 14 years ago

I didn't realize that they used real people. Maybe that is why I really liked the backgrounds. It felt genuine.

[–] Jason_Radley 14 years ago

One of the best minor parts was the girl who took Clint to the ship to meet the sailor Charlie, who'd taken Kochak ashore. Her name isn't mentioned but the credits identify Lenka Peterson as Jeanette.

[–] poetcomic1 13 years ago

And the non-speaking parts especially. There's a scene in a dingy diner across the street from the merchant seamen hiring hall where he meets with the girl. The camera pans down the customers at the counter. One tough big broad among all those men - she could be Madame Spivey's sister.

[–] yj270 13 years ago

This film is a gem, for many reasons, including the reasons you have mentioned here.