Ed Hutcheson (Humphrey Bogart) crusading newspaper editor who battles gangsters and corrupt government officials. Mr. Bogart is in his realm as the tough editor of the New York ‘Day’, a newspaper publishing its last editions before the late owner’s heirs sell the crusading paper to a strictly commercial rival. At first he sees impending unemployment as an opportunity to win back his estranged wife Nora (Kim Hunter). But when a reporter, pursuing a lead on big-time hoodlum Thomas Rienzi, is badly beaten, Hutcheson launches into a full fledged crusade against the gangster, hoping Rienzi can be tied to a woman’s murder. Our hero is trying to do this with the remaining 3 issues before the end of ‘The Day” and the day.

This is one of the best pictures about newspapers made in the ’50’s. As far as a film about the journalism and the slimy side of it all it ranks up there with Sweet Smell of Success. Humphrey Bogart does an excellent job as the editor. In fact, in order to get that newspaper feel, Mr. Bogart hung out at the city room of the New York Daily News. Ethel Barrymore gives a wonderful, regal performance as the widow of the publisher, whose daughters are now demanding that the paper be sold to a competitor. Watch for a young James Dean who has a silent bit part during a newspaper montage.

The film brings up, a mere 55 years ago, issues that are relevant today. The meaning of a free press, factual news versus the tabloids. These are debates that continue today. but unfortunately, it seems that the tabloid type of journalism is winning. This picture is an insightful look at a newspaper’s struggle to survive and yet maintain an object profile. Deadline USA reminds us of the good old days, when you could believe what you read in the New York Times.

This movie is not available on home video. This was one of our “free” DVDs. Now that it is going to be shown Tuesday May 15 2:00PM on the Fox Movie Channel, it feels free. As always, Mr. Bogart’s performance is worth the watch.

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