CROSSFIRE

    Several sources contend that two films from 1947, GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT and CROSSFIRE, were the first Hollywood motion pictures to deal with the subject of anti-Semitism.  They weren't; MR. SKEFFINGTON (1944) was, although the social commentary in SKEFFINGTON was overwhelmed by its epic soap-opera narrative.  Today, GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT seems hopelessly dated and contrived, whereas CROSSFIRE's message still works.  In addition, and perhaps more importantly to today's audiences, CROSSFIRE also works as a suspenseful noir thriller.  Of the three Roberts in the leading roles, Young makes for a good fatherly detective, though you wish he'd put that damn pipe down; Mitchum is solid in an understated performance, but he is underutilized; and Ryan steals the show with his chilling portrayal of a murderous bigot.  -  JL

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