Detective Story
“The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!”
Synopsis
Tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad. An embittered cop, Det. Jim McLeod, leads a precinct of characters in their grim daily battle with the city's lowlife. The characters who pass through the precinct over the course of the day include a young petty embezzler, a pair of burglars, and a naive shoplifter.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Detective Story - TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2013-04-29
Top Cast
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Kirk Douglas
Det. James McLeod
Eleanor Parker
Mary McLeod
William Bendix
Det. Lou Brody
Cathy O'Donnell
Susan Carmichael
George Macready
Karl Schneider
Horace McMahon
Lt. Monaghan
Gladys George
Miss Hatch
Joseph Wiseman
Charley Gennini
Lee Grant
Shoplifter
Gerald Mohr
Tami Giacoppetti
Frank Faylen
Det. Gallagher
Craig Hill
Arthur Kindred
Michael Strong
Lewis Abbott
Luis van Rooten
Joe Feinson
Bert Freed
Det. Dakis
Warner Anderson
Endicott Sims
Grandon Rhodes
Det. O'Brien
William Phillips
Det. Pat Callahan
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
November 1, 1951
Wide Cinema Exhibition
December 1, 2005
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- William Wyler
- Screenplay & Story
- Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler
- Original Score
- Victor Young, Miklós Rózsa
- Original Title
- Detective Story
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 43m
- Production Studios
- Paramount Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
William Wyler
Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler, Sidney Kingsley
Victor Young, Miklós Rózsa
John F. Seitz, Lee Garmes
Robert Swink
William Wyler
Department Leadership Roster
William Wyler
Director
Robert Swink
Editor
Philip Yordan
Screenplay
Robert Wyler
Screenplay
Edith Head
Costume Design
William Wyler
Producer
Lee Garmes
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Detective Story.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Detective Story.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Detective Story
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Detective Story about?
Tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad. An embittered cop, Det. Jim McLeod, leads a precinct of characters in their grim daily battle with the city's lowlife. The characters who pass through the precinct over the course of the day include a young petty embezzler, a pair of burglars, and a naive shoplifter.
Who directed Detective Story?
Detective Story was directed by William Wyler.
Who stars in Detective Story?
The principal cast of Detective Story includes Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell, George Macready.
When was Detective Story released and how long is it?
Detective Story was released in 1951 with a total runtime of 1h 43m.
Who composed the musical score for Detective Story?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Detective Story was composed by Victor Young, Miklós Rózsa.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Detective Story?
Detective Story holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.).