Panic in the Streets Overview:

Panic in the Streets (1950) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Sol C. Siegel.

SYNOPSIS

A dead man on the waterfront is found to have had the black plague, igniting a desperate search for a man who doesn't want to be found, the murderer. A brilliant situation for a taut, suspenseful police drama with an unusual detective, the doctor played with steely resolve by Widmark. Kazan depicts the seedy waterfront of New Orleans with care and Palance makes a sinister rat.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best WritingEdna Anhalt, Edward AnhaltWon
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BlogHub Articles:

Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, and Barbara Bel Geddes star in Elia Kazan’s “Panic in the Streets”

By Stephen Reginald on Sep 16, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, and Barbara Bel Geddes star in Elia Kazan’s “Panic in the Streets” Panic in the Streets (1950) is an American film noir directed by Elia Kazan and starring Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, and Barbara Bel Geddes. The film expertly blends elements o... Read full article


Panic in the Streets (1950)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 26, 2017 From 4 Star Films

It disappoints me that I was not more taken with the material than I was but despite not being wholly engaged, there are still some fascinating aspects to Panic in the Streets. Though a somewhat simple picture, it seems possible that I might just need to give it a second viewing soon. Let’s be... Read full article


Panic in the Streets (1950)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 26, 2017 From 4 Star Films

It disappoints me that I was not more taken with the material than I was but despite not being wholly engaged, there are still some fascinating aspects to Panic in the Streets. Though a somewhat simple picture, it seems possible that I might just need to give it a second viewing soon. Let’s be... Read full article


Throwback Thursday – Panic In The Streets (1950)

By Michael on Mar 31, 2016 From Durnmoose Movie Musings

Between this blog and my previous one, Professor Damian’s Public Domain Treasure Chest, I’ve been writing about movies for quite a while now. Because of that, there are a lot of posts that have simply gotten lost to the mists of time. So, I figured I’d use the idea of “Throwb... Read full article


Panic in the Streets (1950)

By Beatrice on Jul 15, 2014 From Flickers in Time

Panic in the Streets Directed by Elia Kazan Written by Richard Murphy and Daniel Fuchs; story by Edna and Edward Anhalt 1950/USA Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant Video Elia Kazan does some beautiful work on location in New Orleans in this thriller. As the story be... Read full article


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Quotes from

Nancy Reed: If there's a plague here, you're the most important guy in this town.


Lt. Cmdr. Clinton 'Clint' Reed M.D.: You know, my mother always told me if you looked deep enough in anybody... you'd always find some good, but I don't know.
Capt. Tom Warren: With apologies to your mother, that's the second mistake she made.


Raymond Fitch: Oh, yeah. I went to see my mother-in-law. She was wrestling semifinals...


read more quotes from Panic in the Streets...

Facts about

Elia Kazan:  mortuary assistant.
Jack Palance's feature film debut.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onMarch 5, 1951 with Richard Widmark and Paul Douglas reprising their film roles.
read more facts about Panic in the Streets...
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Best Writing Oscar 1950
















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Also directed by Elia Kazan




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Also produced by Sol C. Siegel




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Also released in 1950




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