The veteran character actress made her film debut in Street Scene and she is superb as the vicious gossip. This very unsentimental story, based on the Elmer Rice play showcases many excellent performances. The film is well directed by King Vidor and boasts a great score by Alfred Newman (love that jazz music!). The action takes place on the stoop of a New York City tenement. Gossip swirls around one of the tenants who is having an affair. There is also lots of talks about "foreigners" and socialism and of course the heat. As the city swelters, tensions rise and passions flare. Good story. Beaula Bondi takes acting honors as Mrs. Jones. She is so EVIL yet funny. Superb performance. Sylvia Sidney gets the first of her great "tenement" roles. William Collier, Jr. plays the Jewish student. Silent film star Estelle Taylor is wonderful as the lonely woman. Taylor should have had a bigger "talkie" career. John Qualen plays the Swedish janitor. George Humbert is the Italian tenant. David Landau is good as the jealous husband. Ann Kostant, Nora Cecil, Richard Powell, Matt McHugh, Russell Hopton, and Greta Granstedt are all good. Great camera work and sets..... A wonderful film.
Review of Street Scene
