Pick Up on South Street

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?

The film starts with Skip McCoy pick pocketing Candy’s purse.  Candy is unwittingly transporting a top-secret microfilm (containing scientific formulas for the atomic bomb) to a communist agent and that is what Skip gets away with.  Federal agents are after the communist agent and want to use the film as bait.  The feds work with local police and track down Skip.  Skip realizes what he has and won’t give it up to the police or Candy, who tries to sleep with him.  Candy falls in love with Skip and doesn’t want to see him hurt.  In the end, Skip proves himself loyal to the US and Candy.  Themes of communism and anticommunism are present in the film.  The Chapter in Foner focuses a lot on the anticommunist crusade.  “Those who could be linked to communism were enemies of freedom” (861) which further shows the opinions of people towards communists.  This relates to the film because there is a general hysteria surrounding the film and if it falls into the wrong hands.

 

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

Pick Up on South Street suggests that this may be a difficult time for some people financially as they may have to resort to pick pocketing as a means of getting by.  This film also suggests that there are communist spies present in America at this time and they were working on getting government secrets regarding weapons. 

 

Q3:  What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

Candy is portrays women as being week creatures that are easily pushed around by men.  Her ex boyfriend beats her up and then she falls in love with Skip who treats her poorly and has also physically assaulted her.  This makes women appear as weak creatures that are dependant on men.  The other female character, Moe, portrays women as conniving and opportunistic as she sells out her friends for money.  She redeems herself in the end when she tries to protect Skip and is killed for her efforts.  Skip and Moe represent a lower class because they are criminals.  This suggests that all lower class people are criminals instead of hard working individuals.

 

Q4:  What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene in the film is when Moe is killed because it represents a turning point in the film.  It takes the film from somewhat of a comedy to a serious film.  It also helps the audience to associate the communist character with cold blooded murder.

 

Review

I’d give the film 3 out of 5 because I wasn’t much invested in it.  The characters weren’t well developed with the exception of Moe.  I felt bad for Moe when she was killed.  I didn’t even like Candy and because of that I could have cared less if she ended up with Skip or not.