Humphey Bogart in his first movie for his own production company Santana. And introducing "pretty boy" John Derek. Bogart plays a sympathetic lawyer defending a juvenile delinquent(Derek)on trial for murder. Pretty average Film-Noir, but good enough to hold your interest. Courtroom scenes provide high drama and then comes the twist ending that really is not so surprising. Also in the cast are:George Macready, Allene Roberts and Mickey Knox. And then there is Dooley Wilson tickling the ivories.

***SPOILERS*** Nicholas Ray's first film that's very much like his 1955 classic "Rebel Without a Cause" which deals with a troubled youth where in "Rebel" it's star James Dean, as James Stark, was a troubled and misunderstood teenager. In the movie "Knock on any Door" the young man Nick"Pretty Boy" Romono", John Derek, is a hardened and career criminal. Arrested after a cop was shot and killed outside the 3.80 Club Nick is grabbed by the police together with a score of other persons and charged with the policemen's murder.

Attorney Andrew Morton ,Humphrey Bogart, who handles only property and probate cases goes against his law partners wishes to take up Nick's defense pro bono. Andrew feels that he owes him at least that since he holds himself responsible for the violent life that Nick had chosen years earlier. Six years ago Andrew turned the case of Nick's dad over to his law partner Ed Elkins, Curt Conway. He felt at the time that it was an open and shut case for old man Romono being found innocent. Elkins however blotched it up and caused the old man to be sentenced to a year in prison and died after four months behind bars. With Nick suddenly becoming the family bread-winner he drifted into a life of crime and worked himself up, over those six years, from petty theft to what he's now being accused of, the murder of a law enforcement officer.

Ahead of it's time, even though very dated now, "Knock on any Door" gets into the background of it's accused killer like a scalpel used by a neurosurgeon goes into the brain of his patient. The entire movie goes from Nick's trial to his past, through a series of flashbacks and shows how he got to where is is now; on trial for his life.

Handsome John Derek's first film and he does the best with the part that he has giving a three dimensional, unlike the usual cartoon-like, performance of the ruthless criminal Nick "Pretty Boy" Romono who has a heart of gold under all that barb wire that he covers himself up with. Humphrey Bogart gives his usual high quality performance as the lawyer Abdrew Morton who goes out of his way to try to save the "abused and troubled" young man from a one-way trip to the electric chair.

Very emotional and powerful ending sequence where Andrew gives his closing argument not just about his client's Nick Romono tormented and troubled past,as he pleads for the jury to spare his life, but also for the future. Andrews final summery is in preventing more Nick Romono's from evolving out of the depressed and hopeless crime infested neighborhoods that they come from and grow up in.

There were quite a number of reasons why 'Knock on Any Door' appealed to me in the first place. Love courtroom dramas and there are some truly great ones out there. Have loved a lot of films and performances of Humphrey Bogart, his performance for me in 'Casablanca' is one of the all-time greats and the film itself is one of my favourites. And have always loved classic film.

'Knock On Any Door' may not be a courtroom drama film classic, it's not one of Bogart's best films and it will never be one of my favourite films any time soon. Can understand the criticisms against it, criticisms also shared by even those who liked it. There is a good deal to admire though and its sincerity and good intentions cannot be doubted. If asked whether 'Knock on Any Door' is worth seeing, my answer would be yes while not enthusiastically recommending it.

As said, 'Knock On Any Door's' criticisms are understandable. It is on the heavy-handed side, especially the final speech, which was clearly intended to be powerful and strike a chord but while thought-provoking and done with good intentions it over-emphasised its moralising too much. Not all the courtroom scenes are as compelling as ought, some are somewhat stagy and for a talk-heavy film the pace dragged a bit.

John Derek is acceptable as the lead but could have delved into this very demanding role deeper, part of me felt that he could have brought out more sympathy. That way, the character would have been more rootable and one would be more understanding as to why anybody would defend him. The film does try to do that but because the character is not explored enough it doesn't quite come off.

Cannot fault the rest of the performances though. Bogart is splendid and commands the screen whenever he appears. As does Macready, his pulls no punches ruthlessness being quite intimidating to watch. Allene Roberts is a long way from being the bland love interest, she is very charming and likeable. Her chemistry with Derek and the more romantic-oriented scenes were a big surprise of film, was expecting to bring down the film but the chemistry was actually sweet and on an emotional level their scenes were more investable.

Nicholas Ray directs more than competently if perhaps unexceptionally. Visually, 'Knock on Any Door' is a beautifully stylish noir-ish feel. Enough of the script is thought-provoking and sincere and some of the courtroom drama does compel and doesn't make the outcome too obvious. The characters do have some meat to them and regardless of whether what is said and explored here holds up or not now judging it by that time's standards it is very interesting.

Overall, didn't love it but didn't hate it certainly. 6/10 Bethany Cox