Cry Danger

Cry Danger

Year: 1951

Runtime: 79 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Parrish

CrimeThrillerCrime

Powell’s on the Prowl! After serving five years of a life sentence, Rocky Mulloy hopes to clear his friend who’s still in prison for the same crime.

Cry Danger (1951) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Cry Danger (1951) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a sun‑baked stretch of post‑war Los Angeles, a man steps out of a clanging cell after five years of a life sentence, his eyes still fixed on the one thing that keeps him chained: the name of a friend still behind bars for the same crime. Rocky Mulloy is a stubborn, principled figure whose longing for justice is matched only by the weight of the years he has lost. The brief glimpse of freedom he gains feels more like the opening of a long, uneasy road, one that promises both redemption and new perils.

The city itself becomes a character, its neon‑lit avenues and shadowy back‑streets echoing the classic noir mood of the era. Rocky finds himself under the steady gaze of the police, particularly Lieutenant Gus Cobb, whose presence reminds him that every step is watched and every move could be misread. He settles in a modest trailer park, a gritty enclave where hardened survivors trade whispered gossip and guarded smiles, a place where the line between ally and opportunist blurs with each passing night.

Among the park’s residents is a one‑legged ex‑Marine named Delong, a shrewd survivor whose motives are as murky as the desert sky at dusk. Their uneasy partnership is underscored by the lingering presence of Nancy, Rocky’s former flame and the widowed wife of his incarcerated friend, whose lingering affection and unresolved history add another layer of complexity. A pretty newcomer, Darlene, drifts into the orbit, offering a glimpse of normalcy that quickly becomes tangled in the larger web of suspicion and need.

Against this backdrop of smoky rooms, worn-out motels, and a city that never quite lets anyone rest, Rocky must navigate a maze of old loyalties and fresh temptations. The film shrouds his quest in a blend of tense atmosphere and tight‑knotted intrigue, inviting the audience to wonder whether the pursuit of truth will free him—or bind him tighter to the shadows that already linger in every corner of his world.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:42

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Paranoid Noir Thrillers like Cry Danger

Where every shadow holds a threat and no one can be trusted.If you enjoyed the tense, cynical atmosphere of Cry Danger, explore more movies like it. This collection features gritty crime stories and classic film noirs where characters operate in a world of double-crosses, police surveillance, and relentless paranoia.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a central figure, often a loner or an ex-con, who is thrust into a dangerous quest for truth or redemption. Their journey is a tightrope walk of alliances and deceptions, where the quest to clear a name or uncover a secret leads them deeper into a web of conspiracy. The plot is propelled by a series of confrontations and reveals that constantly raise the stakes.

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These films are grouped by their shared mood of cynicism and suspense. They feature fast-paced plots, high-intensity confrontations, and a visual style that emphasizes shadows and urban grit. The central theme of navigating a treacherous world where trust is a liability creates a coherent and gripping viewing experience.

Movies About Ex-Con Justice Quests like Cry Danger

A wronged man fights to clear his name in a world that moved on.For viewers who liked the story of Rocky Mulloy's quest in Cry Danger, this section finds similar movies about wrongful imprisonment and the difficult path to justice after release. These films explore themes of betrayal, hidden evidence, and the personal toll of seeking the truth.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows an ex-convict who re-enters society with a single-minded goal, such as proving a friend's innocence or uncovering the truth behind their conviction. They face skepticism from authorities, danger from old associates, and the emotional weight of lost time. The plot is a linear investigation punctuated by violent setbacks and moral dilemmas, leading to an ending where truth is uncovered but rarely without sacrifice.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific character arc and plot structure. The focus is on the psychological and physical challenges of reintegration and the dogged pursuit of a cold case. The combination of a procedural investigation with the protagonist's personal stakes creates a compelling mix of crime thriller and character drama.

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Cry Danger Summary

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Cry Danger Summary

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Cry Danger Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cry Danger

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cry Danger

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