The Sniper At The Shooting GallerySet in San Francisco, The Sniper (1952) features a scene at a carnival in which the killer struggles with his inner psychosis. It's Playland At The Beach, a famous landmark in Golden Gate Park which no longer exists. 
Eddie (Arthur Franz) is a mentally disturbed young man who can't bear women, especially ones who are kissing or flirting. At the carnival's shooting gallery, he picks up one of the rifles, about to do a little target practice. He notices a couple in one of the seats on the ferris wheel. The woman is giggling and being amorous with her boyfriend. Eddie just can't take it, so he swivels around to aim the gun at her. The gun yanks violently at the chain, which holds it in place. The game attendant shouts out in bewilderment. Angered and frustrated, Eddie settles for the little metal target pieces. He's a superb marksman, and they are knocked over, one by one. With sweat on his brow, he stomps off, not even collecting his stuffed animal prize. A crowd is gathered around the dunk tank, where a pretty woman in a swim suit sits on a little wooden platform. Eddie throws a ball at the target, but misses, so the lady taunts him. This really sets him off, and he fires bullseye after bulls-eye until the woman is completely exhausted with falling (rather jerkily) over and over into the water and climbing back up to her perch. The crowd is amazed at his skill and prowess at first, but then grow alarmed at his deranged expression and total obsession. By now, the woman is no longer smiling and teasing...she is spooked. The shooter then fires three balls directly at her instead of the target, but the chain link fence protects her. The Sniper was directed by Edward Dmytryk and is an unusual film in that it stresses the failure of society and "the system" as the main culprit in the string of murders, rather than the sniper himself. He is portrayed as suffering immensely, alone and alienated in the city, rejected by everyone. Even when he does seek help, he is brushed aside, rather than given the treatment he so desperately needs. As a side note, the film has great exterior shots around San Francisco. Back to the Film Noir Classic Movie Reviews page
New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
