Drama,Crime
United States of America
711 Ocean Drive is a 1950 film noir directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring Edmund O'Brien, Joanne Dru, and Don Porter. O'Brien plays Mal Granger, a telephone repairman who becomes involved in a gambling racket when he befriends bookmaker Vince Walters (Porter). Mal uses his knowledge of the phone system to help Vince expand his operation. However, when he falls for Vince's wife, Trudy (Dru), and the scheme goes awry, Mal must decide between his loyalty to Vince and his desire for Trudy.
The film was inspired by the Kefauver Committee hearings, which investigated organized crime in the United States in the 1950s. It was shot on location in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and the Hoover Dam, giving it a gritty, realistic feel. In addition to O'Brien, Dru, and Porter, the cast includes familiar character actors like Barry Kelley, Otto Kruger, and Howard St. John.
711 Ocean Drive received positive reviews upon its release and was praised for its tense, action-packed plot and O'Brien's performance. Some critics noted that the film had a pro-law enforcement message and supported the work of the Kefauver Committee. The movie has since become a classic of the film noir genre and is remembered for its noirish atmosphere, tough-guy dialogue, and strong performances.
