Tight Spot

Director Phil Karlson is something of a minor critic’s darling with his beloved noirs The Phenix City Story and Kansas City Confidential frequently getting thrown around on lists of the greatest examples of the genre. Even some of his lesser-known works exhibit a competency with mood and genre that other directors could only hope to master. Enter Tight Spot, a fun little showcase for Ginger Rogers towards the end of her film career with fine supporting work from Brian Keith and Edward G. Robinson.

Rogers plays a gangster moll released from prison and kept in police custody in hopes she’ll agree to testify against a notable crime boss. Robinson is the US attorney and Keith is the detective assigned to guard her. Naturally there’s a slow burning erotic chemistry between Keith and Rogers, but it’s really the Rogers show through and through.

Karlson and Rogers make for a great team as he needs a star capable of holding our interest throughout without the aide of varied locations or a lot of pictorial distraction. Much of the action takes place in the same hotel room and relies on her character, a floozy with a golden heart. This part seems tailor-made for her talents as an actress like it was the logical conclusion to her daffy dames and hoofing chorines from Gold Diggers of 1933 and 42^nd Street.

While not exactly an undiscovered jewel, Tight Spot is a minor film that is a good time. The ending is something of a compromise and that leaves a bit of a distaste as the final credits roll. Still, it’s a chance to spend with Rogers towards the end of an illustrious film career with palpable erotic chemistry with Keith. That’s worth quite a bit, as it turns out.