Ci­ty That Ne­ver Sleeps

City That Never Sleeps is one of the best-known Republic titles. During one night, we follow police officer Johnny Kelly through the dark alleys of Chicago. Disillusioned with his job and his marriage, he wants to start a new life. A shady offer from a lawyer who indulges in corrupt dealings is supposed to help him. But his plans are thwarted by a petty criminal. As Johnny's situation becomes more and more dramatic, he seeks refuge with nightclub dancer Sally. While City That Never Sleeps initially reminds us of documentary-like urban noirs such as Jules Dassin's The Naked City, director John H. Auer breaks the boundaries of film noir and lets Johnny's nighttime odyssey slide more and more into the logic of a (nightmare) dream (in which, not least, the "spirit of the city" materializes as a police officer to help Johnny). A film of shattered hopes, tears and the dim morning light. (hb)90 min. / b/w / DCP / E/e*