"Night and the City" is the story of Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark -- in a tremendous live-wire performance) as a two-bit hustler always looking for the next big thing, never settling to appreciate what he already has. As the picture opens, he's running through the streets of London, thugs in hot pursuit. He owes money from a previous botched "score". Rather than try to fix things from his past, make amends, he's always running right into his next score. His scores involve racetracks, big wrestling, and etc. Never content to settle on the little thing, Fabian wants to control the rackets, all the rackets. Problem is he's not equipped for it. He's a dreamer, for sure. Has some skills (his memory and eyesight, stand out) that he's always using for the wrong things, in his search for "a life of ease and plenty". His circle includes Mary (the sweet woman that loves him despite his constant abuse), Phil Nosseross (the man behind the desk, owner of the Silver Fox nightclub, husband to Fabian's ex-wife), Helen (the ex-wife, I suppose the Femme Fatale of the picture, though she wants what everyone wants -- to matter), and Gregorius the Great (a wonderful, heartbreaking turn by Stanislaus Zbyszko as an aging Greek Wrestler who gets roped into Fabian's scheme to steal control of London's wrestling circuit out from under Gregorius' own son, Kristo). Also, lots of fringe-y derelicts, Anna the drunk smuggler, Figler (a leader of lowly, wayward criminals -- let's face it, this is where Fabian fits in), and Googins (a master -- but not so masterly -- forger).
Herbert Lom ("The Pink Panther", "The Ladykillers") is Kristo, ruler of London's underworld. A subdued, incredible performance (this film is overflowing with incredible performances). After Fabian gloms onto his father (his power is to overhear bits of dialogue -- or pay a driver to give him bits and pieces of overheard conversation -- and then use it to lure his mark into friendship, ultimately destruction) he uses him to a) keep Kristo at bay and b) wrench a bit of power he's always longed for in his direction. Fabian's a user, he uses everyone. He's certainly not a villain, in the traditional sense. Sure, he pushes Mary to the ground every now and then (usually after she accuses him of stealing from her), betrays his "friends" constantly, but his intentions (not actions, of course) are always noble, at least noble-adjacent. Finish this one thing and he'll never have to do any of this shit ever again is what he always says after the last thing.
So, after drawing in Gregorius (and his son, Nikolas -- another wrestler, the one they're supposed to champion) he's able to accrue enough money (again, he screws his "friends') to open up his own gym and eventually lock up a fight with London's #1 wrestler, known as The Strangler (odd wrestling name, but whatever). The Strangler (and his handlers, under the employ of Kristo) subscribes to a new school of wrestling which is predicated on showmanship, acting, performance....you know, basically the wrestling of today. This disgusts Gregorius (to the profound disappointment of Kristo) who wants to bring wrestling back to its roots, its beauty (he's of the Greco-Roman school). So, here we have it. Kristo wants to have Fabian killed but can't do it with his father (whom he loves, deeply) working with him. Along the way, we've got double crosses, side crosses, back dealings, and even side dealings. Oh, and one of the greatest fight scenes (and, honestly it's great and heartrending) I've ever witnessed in a picture (yeah, I'm throwing "modern" films into this mix as well). Seriously, this fight is incredible.
Well, that fight..it occurs in Fabian's gym between Gregorius (this guy is ancient, by the way) and The Strangler (after Nikolas -- who was intended to fight The Strangler -- has his wrist broken when he's thrown out of the ring). This is not the officially sanctioned fight, as had been planned. Nothing happens as planned in this picture. The fight takes forever. It's brutal. It's sweaty. It's a thing of beauty. These are real fighters. Nikolas, broken wrist and all, admirably coaches his father from outside the ring. Kristo walks in and witnesses the thing with a mixture of awe, anger, and sadness. Fabian, meanwhile, watches with dread. If anything happens to the old man, Fabian's days are numbered. You figure out how this shit turn out. I'm guessing it ends with some running, some hiding, some pleading, etc.
By the time the credits hit the screen everyone is ruined or worse in the wake of Hurricane Harry. There's his ex-wife Helen, whose dream of owning her own night club (out from the enormous -- ok he's a large guy -- shadow of her husband Phil) is shattered by one of Harry's many false promises. There's Gregorius who believed in Harry's lies enough that it ripped his own family to shreds. There's Kristo who is certainly not left satisfied even as the picture ends in the way it was always going to end, with his satisfaction. And then there's poor Mary, the woman who loves Harry despite all the shitty things he rains down upon her. Her refusal to betray him in the end and the repercussions of that refusal (fuck, this guy was a classic abuser -- just do it Mary) leave her ultimately destroyed. Even when Harry believes he's doing the right thing (not much self awareness with this guy) it's always the wrong thing. So, this one's a real pick me up I guess.
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