The Sleeping City is a 1950 American film noir crime film in semi-documentary style that was set in and filmed at New York's Bellevue Hospital. Directed by George Sherman, it stars Richard Conte and Coleen Gray.
The film is notable for its photography, and was one of the few motion pictures of the era to be shot entirely on location.
The film begins with an unusual prologue, featuring Conte, to assure the audience that the story is "completely fictional" and did not take place at Bellevue or in New York City. The prologue was inserted at the insistence of New York mayor William O'Dwyer, who felt that the script besmirched the reputation of the city-run hospital.
Plot:
At Bellevue Hospital, New York, an intern is shot in the head by an unknown killer. Inspector Gordon of the 9th Precinct finds no obvious leads but senses an undercurrent of mystery at the hospital; enter Detective Fred Rowan, whose medical background enables him to pose as an intern. Through wheels within wheels, Rowan finally penetrates to a secret, dirty racket...and nurse Ann Sebastian, whom he's been dating, may be mixed up in it.
Credits
Richard Conte as Fred Rowan
Coleen Gray as Ann Sebastian
Richard Taber as Pop Ware
John Alexander as Insp. Gordon
Peggy Dow as Kathy Hall
Alex Nicol as Dr. Steve Anderson
Directed by George Sherman
Written by Jo Eisinger
Produced by Leonard Goldstein
Cinematography William Miller
Edited by Frank Gross
Music by Frank Skinner
