- Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews) is a tough cop to root for. As the film opens, he's in the process of getting demoted for applying excessive force in the line of duty. In fact, we quickly get the feeling that cops and criminals alike appropriately regard Dixon as somewhat of a loose cannon. It's ironic, then, that Dixon kills murder suspect Ken Paine (Craig Stevens) in a complete accident of self-defense. Recognizing that his credibility is somewhat strained, Dixon hastily decides to cover up Paine's death. In a wonderfully suspenseful set of scenes, the detective engages in much subterfuge to create a misleading false trail for Paine before dumping his body in the river. Like I said, he's a tough cop to root for.
- As the story progresses, however, we find that there is more to Dixon than we might have guessed. Though characteristically a gruff loner, the detective seems a bit more human as he gets to know the late Paine's estranged wife Morgan Taylor (Gene Tierney) and her father Jiggs (Tom Tully). Unfortunately, Dixon is faced with the challenge of hiding his crime from the persistent Detective Thomas (Karl Malden) while simultaneously trying to solve the original murder for which Paine was suspected. After Paine's body is found, Dixon desperately tries to pin the entire affair on known gangster Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill). This is not a complete frameup, though, since Scalise was almost certainly behind the first murder. Given the chance, he probably would have committed the second, too. When the evidence appears to incriminate Jiggs Taylor, however, Dixon must choose between coming clean and dooming an innocent man.
- Where the Sidewalk Ends is a compelling noir drama that succeeds in portraying a rather unlikeable and corrupt cop in a surprisingly sympathetic manner. I was especially impressed with the gradual revelation that Dixon's father was himself a criminal who helped establish Scalise. A lesser film might have had this fact dominate the narrative, but we are instead allowed to discover how Dixon's character has turned out before discovering why. The film's final resolution was also appropriately suspenseful, particularly since it wasn't obvious that a happy ending was achievable. If you were paying attention during the film's opening titles, you might have noticed that there is a sewer where the sidewalk ends. Thankfully, it is only Dixon's career that has gone down the drain.
- Oleg Cassini, who did the costume design for the film, cameoed as "Oleg the fashion designer." He was also married to Gene Tierney at the time.
