Amateurish as it may be, Strangers in the City is worth watching for its glimpses of early '60s New York City alone. Recently aired by Turner Classic Movies as part of its Latin Images in Cinema series, the film is an independently produced look at Nuyorican life. I was surprised to discover that the film really WAS shot in widescreen: TCM aired a pan and scan print, and the credits were uncomfortably squeezed. That's unfortunate, because Rick Carrier seems to have taken considerable care with his compositions and set-ups. Could this really be the same man who edited Barry Mahon's The Beast That Killed Women? Anyone interested in truly independent American cinema should see this film, and a correctly framed DVD release would be most welcome.
7 Reviews
Exploited by life turns innocent people cynical.
mark.waltz29 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The east 90's of Manhattan were a far cry in the early 1960's then they are today, a dank, dismal area of the city under construction, with lots of rat infested sites which created rat infested apartments for the poor people who lived there. For a newly arrived Puerto Rican family, it's barely more liveable than what they had before, and they find themselves treated like pariahs, with the hardworking Robert Gentile changing from nice young man to an angry one after being bullied every day on the job, first by his boss then by gangs who harass him daily, and sister Rosita De Triano finding that she likes the nice gifts that come with giving something away in return. Parents Camilo Delgado and Greta Margos (who reminded me of Anna Magnani) are afraid of the changes they see with Margos taking a major risk after learning the harsh truth about what's going on.
Some fabulous location shots of New York and the early 1960s shows what was going on during the time when the East Side Highway was being put in (historically significant because it greatly changed upper Manhattan and displaced many people), and indicate how much it has remained the same. A very jazzy musical score aids this cheaply made but riveting film in its successful view of the toughness of the Big Apple outside of the touristy parts. It's very depressing at times, almost unwatchable for that aspect, but if you can take it, you'll definitely find it brilliant. There was some great Independent films made about parts of New York City not often shown during the '60s, and this is definitely one of the best. I certainly couldn't turn my eyes away from it. The crudeness of the filmmaking only makes it all the more real.
Some fabulous location shots of New York and the early 1960s shows what was going on during the time when the East Side Highway was being put in (historically significant because it greatly changed upper Manhattan and displaced many people), and indicate how much it has remained the same. A very jazzy musical score aids this cheaply made but riveting film in its successful view of the toughness of the Big Apple outside of the touristy parts. It's very depressing at times, almost unwatchable for that aspect, but if you can take it, you'll definitely find it brilliant. There was some great Independent films made about parts of New York City not often shown during the '60s, and this is definitely one of the best. I certainly couldn't turn my eyes away from it. The crudeness of the filmmaking only makes it all the more real.
Seen the film, many times.
scopitone4 September 2002
Excellent, grittyand realistic view of destitution amongst a Puerto Rican family trying to survive New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1962. Similiar to "Mean Streets" and Shirley Clark's "The Cool World" and pre-dates both. Excellent location work from various points in Manhattan to Coney Island. Manages to combine art flourishes with a strong and exploitative storyline. Original and stirring jazzy soundtrack helps make this a truly unforgettable film and experience. Catch it if you can.
A Quiet Little Film Of Compelling Power
sataft-25 November 2003
I saw this film for the first time, on television in New York City, back in 1964. I was so moved by the experience, that I kept watch for it in a rerun theater (before VCR's), so that I could view it without the edits for television.
Finally, two years later, I found it showing in an art theater in Greenwich Village. That was the last time I did see this humble masterpiece. And after 37 years, the images of this little film still resonate within my psyche.
It was the simply told, well acted story of a Puerto Rican family who emigrate from their homeland, to New York City, in search of a better life. In their innocence, what they obtain is a run-down ghetto apartment where they are outnumbered by the roaches and rats. And where, one by one, starting with the father, then the teenage daughter, then the son and finally the mother, they are swallowed up in the smoldering melting pot that was late 50's to early 60's New York City.
Each one is, at some point in their earnest quest to survive, humiliated, debased (both socially and sexually) and, finally, for two of them, led to death as the only salvation from the nightmare they have found themselves trapped in.
It is a moving film that every American should see, at least once, to gain a broader understanding of the Hispanic experience in America; long before the coming of the likes and fame of Jenifer Lopez could be achieved.
Trust me, you will be moved and you won't forget the experience.
Finally, two years later, I found it showing in an art theater in Greenwich Village. That was the last time I did see this humble masterpiece. And after 37 years, the images of this little film still resonate within my psyche.
It was the simply told, well acted story of a Puerto Rican family who emigrate from their homeland, to New York City, in search of a better life. In their innocence, what they obtain is a run-down ghetto apartment where they are outnumbered by the roaches and rats. And where, one by one, starting with the father, then the teenage daughter, then the son and finally the mother, they are swallowed up in the smoldering melting pot that was late 50's to early 60's New York City.
Each one is, at some point in their earnest quest to survive, humiliated, debased (both socially and sexually) and, finally, for two of them, led to death as the only salvation from the nightmare they have found themselves trapped in.
It is a moving film that every American should see, at least once, to gain a broader understanding of the Hispanic experience in America; long before the coming of the likes and fame of Jenifer Lopez could be achieved.
Trust me, you will be moved and you won't forget the experience.
Good intentions but very familiar
preppy-318 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Obscure independent film showing the life of Puerto Rican immigrants in East Harlem. Son Filip (Robert Gentile) is always getting beaten up by gangs, daughter Elana is becoming a prostitute, father Jose (Calmilo Delgado) can't get a job and mother Antonia (Rosita De Triano) tries to keep it all together, It all ends tragically of course.
This must have been gripping in 1962 but it's been done MANY times since. Bad direction and lousy sound recording too. Still Gentile is pretty good in his role, there's an interesting score and this shows what NYC looked like in 1962. Worth a look but keep your expectations low.
This must have been gripping in 1962 but it's been done MANY times since. Bad direction and lousy sound recording too. Still Gentile is pretty good in his role, there's an interesting score and this shows what NYC looked like in 1962. Worth a look but keep your expectations low.
Understandably Obscure
Handlinghandel22 August 2006
This movie's intentions are good. It examines the life of Puerto Rican immigrants and their children in New York City.
It has, however, the feel of a 16 millimeter project for a class. It was made before video. It was made before film schools. But it has the feel of a student assignment.
The direction is minimal. The plot is corny and far from original Yes, it does get intense in its later portion. So, though, do soap operas.
Some of the actors are good. Their intentions are very clearly good. But it's nothing one should rush to see. Its heart is in the right place but, unfortunately, that's about all that can be said for it.
It has, however, the feel of a 16 millimeter project for a class. It was made before video. It was made before film schools. But it has the feel of a student assignment.
The direction is minimal. The plot is corny and far from original Yes, it does get intense in its later portion. So, though, do soap operas.
Some of the actors are good. Their intentions are very clearly good. But it's nothing one should rush to see. Its heart is in the right place but, unfortunately, that's about all that can be said for it.
Ahead of it's Television time.
tez-8397519 August 2020
Strangers in the City is a terrific movie,partly because of it's more or less "Amature"
cast. I first saw this on Wor-tv channel 9 in NYC in 1967,I thought then and I STILL think now,that it was racy and made no apologies for it's realism. I recently watched/taped it from TCM and my memory suggests that when Wor-tv first showed it in 1967,that NOTHING was cut from that airing.Even today,a syndicated television channel could not air this kind of film without shredding it to the floor. What you see in this great film is HUMAN REALITY!
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