"Street Scene" was obviously originally a play--as so much of the film looks like a Broadway set. And, folks appear and talk much like you'd expect in a play--not like in real life. Because of this, the film seems stagy as well as a bit dated. But, with topics like adultery and racial epithets, it's also obvious that, for its time, it was a rather bold production.
"Street Scene" is not really a complete story--it's more like a snippet of life for various folks living in a tenement. Because of this, by the time the film ends, you may well be left feeling a bit let down because there is no satisfying conclusion. Much of the stuff that occurs is pretty limp, though it certainly jumps into overdrive when there is a murder late in the film. Part of this is the excitement (which is really needed) and part is because for the first time the set opens up and you can see the neighborhood--which is something considering it was actually all filmed in California! But the crane shots and look of the set really make it seem real--even if the dialog often seems pretty fake. Overall, an interesting film and a movie that tries (it doesn't succeed but it tries) to create a historical look at New York City circa 1930.
If you do watch, a few things to look for are some film debuts (Beulah Bondi and John Qualen), the smart aleck cop and the frequent use of derisive terms for the Jewish character.
"Street Scene" is not really a complete story--it's more like a snippet of life for various folks living in a tenement. Because of this, by the time the film ends, you may well be left feeling a bit let down because there is no satisfying conclusion. Much of the stuff that occurs is pretty limp, though it certainly jumps into overdrive when there is a murder late in the film. Part of this is the excitement (which is really needed) and part is because for the first time the set opens up and you can see the neighborhood--which is something considering it was actually all filmed in California! But the crane shots and look of the set really make it seem real--even if the dialog often seems pretty fake. Overall, an interesting film and a movie that tries (it doesn't succeed but it tries) to create a historical look at New York City circa 1930.
If you do watch, a few things to look for are some film debuts (Beulah Bondi and John Qualen), the smart aleck cop and the frequent use of derisive terms for the Jewish character.