An unhappy man threatens suicide by standing on the ledge of a high-rise building for 14 hours.An unhappy man threatens suicide by standing on the ledge of a high-rise building for 14 hours.An unhappy man threatens suicide by standing on the ledge of a high-rise building for 14 hours.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total
Howard Da Silva
- Deputy Police Chief Moskar
- (as Howard da Silva)
Parley Baer
- Bartender
- (uncredited)
George Baxter
- Attorney
- (uncredited)
Leonard Bell
- Cab Driver for Mrs. Fuller
- (uncredited)
Richard Beymer
- Bit Part
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis film is based on a real-life incident that happened July 26, 1938, in New York City. John William Warde, 26, after a 12 hour standoff, leaped 17 floors to his death from the ledge outside a room at the Gotham Hotel.
- GoofsAt the end of the movie the son of Officer Dunnigan enters through the revolving door in a clockwise, wrong, direction. Officer Dunnigan and he hug and then leave the hotel, exiting through the revolving door, again pushing it in a clockwise, wrong, direction even though all revolving doors turn in a counter-clockwise direction. The push handles are clearly visible on the opposite side of the door.
- Quotes
Walter, room service waiter: [Calling to report jumper] Operator!
Hotel Switchboard Operator: [Sips from cup] Good morning.
Walter, room service waiter: This is the waiter in 1505.
Hotel Switchboard Operator: I'll connect you with room service.
Walter, room service waiter: No, no!
Walter, room service waiter: I don't want a waiter, I am a waiter!
[pauses briefly]
Walter, room service waiter: There's a man!
- Crazy credits[END TITLE]
Out of past experience, the emergency rescue squad of the New York Police has developed techniques to deal with problems of this nature quietly, quickly and efficiently. For their expert advice and cooperation in the filming of this picture we are particularly grateful.
- Alternate versionsTwo endings were shot, one in which Richard Basehart dies, one in which he doesn't. Some original prints show the two different endings one right after the other.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Stars of the Silver Screen: Grace Kelly (2013)
Featured review
A marvelous little unsung film.
I came across this film while changing channels. What stopped me was seeing such a young Richard Basehart. What kept me was the tense story. Most of it was confined to the building ledge and the room behind it. The background film was extraordinary. I think I've been able to pinpoint within 2 blocks where on Broadway this hotel was supposed to be. Another thing was the cast.
It seemed like they hadn't gone for "stars", just good actors. Ossie Davis, Jeffrey Hunter, Howard Da Silva (before the black- list), and Grace Kelly in her first film. I wish I could see it from the beginning.
It seemed like they hadn't gone for "stars", just good actors. Ossie Davis, Jeffrey Hunter, Howard Da Silva (before the black- list), and Grace Kelly in her first film. I wish I could see it from the beginning.
helpful•306
- Honora
- Feb 22, 1999
Details
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content