Overview
A gripping tale of justice and truth in a small town shaken by tragedy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tense
- sober
- gripping
- classic noir night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's gripping, clear, authentic semi-documentary treatment of a real murder case and its strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The murder investigation is presented through factual dialogue, procedural detail, and a semi-documentary style.
Location shooting in Stamford and the film's factual technique emphasize the Connecticut setting's realism.
District Attorney Henry Harvey faces opposition while trying to establish Waldron's innocence.
Witnesses identify John Waldron as the murderer, yet he vehemently denies the charge and the case remains contested.
Films like Boomerang!, and why
The Naked City
shared film noir atmosphere, procedural investigation, and institutional pressure
The House on 92nd Street
shared docudrama realism, murder investigation, and documentary-style location work
Anatomy of a Murder
shared courtroom suspense, wrongful accusation, and morally pressured legal protagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- Elia Kazan
- Release Date
- 1947-02-28
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (90)
Cast
- Dana Andrews
- Jane Wyatt
- Lee J. Cobb
- Cara Williams
- Arthur Kennedy
- Sam Levene
- Taylor Holmes
- Robert Keith
- Ed Begley
- Philip Coolidge
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Boomerang! about?
- A Connecticut prosecutor battles public outrage and political interference to challenge the seemingly airtight case against a nervous murder suspect.
- What is Boomerang! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Boomerang! as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Boomerang! violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Boomerang! as mild.
- What did critics think of Boomerang!?
- Critics broadly praised the film's gripping, clear, authentic semi-documentary treatment of a real murder case and its strong performances.
- Which films are like Boomerang!?
- Films with a similar feel include The Naked City, The House on 92nd Street, and Anatomy of a Murder.
- How long is Boomerang!?
- Boomerang! runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Boomerang!?
- In United States, Boomerang! is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
