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Genres
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CastJack NicholsonHarry Lauter
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DirectorJustus Addiss
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Release Date1958
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Runtime1 hr

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Cry Baby Killer is a black and white crime drama from 1958, directed by Jus Addiss and starring a young Jack Nicholson in his first credited role. The film centers around Jimmy Wallace (played by Sal Mineo), a teenager from a troubled background who becomes increasingly unstable after a confrontation with a local gang. The story begins when Jimmy gets into an argument with gang member Manny Siqueros (played by Nicholson) outside a diner after Manny accuses him of staring at his girlfriend. The situation quickly escalates into violence, and Manny and his associates beat Jimmy up and steal his jacket. 4h1w1z
Humiliated and angry, Jimmy goes to his father's gas station to retrieve his father's gun. But when he arrives, he finds that his father has loaned the gun to someone else. In a fit of desperation, Jimmy breaks into a neighbor's house and steals a gun from their safe.
With the gun in his possession, Jimmy goes looking for Manny and his gang. He finds them at a local pool hall and confronts them, but the situation quickly spirals out of control. A police officer arrives on the scene and Jimmy ends up barricading himself inside the pool hall with a host of hostages, including Manny's girlfriend.
As the standoff intensifies, the police launch a massive manhunt for Jimmy, and the city is consumed by the media frenzy surrounding the hostage situation. Reporters and onlookers gather outside the pool hall, staking out the scene and speculating about Jimmy's background, his motivation, and his future prospects.
Meanwhile, Jimmy's family struggles to make sense of what is happening. His mother (played by Carolyn Craig) tries to understand her son's actions, while his father (played by Harry Lauter) regrets the tough love approach he has taken with his troubled son.
As the hours tick by and the standoff becomes more fraught, we begin to see flashes of the vulnerability and desperation beneath Jimmy's rebellious exterior. As he confronts the media and grapples with the reality of his situation, he slowly realizes that there may be no easy way out.
Cry Baby Killer is a tense, claustrophobic thriller that explores the depths of teenage rebellion, the power of the media, and the complexities of law enforcement. It showcases Jack Nicholson's early talent, as well as a nuanced and authentic performance by Sal Mineo in the lead role. With its gritty realism and raw emotional intensity, Cry Baby Killer is a must-see for fans of classic crime dramas.
Cry Baby Killer is a 1958 drama with a runtime of 1 hour.