Cry Tough is a 1959 American film noir crime drama film noir directed by Paul Stanley written by Harry Kleiner, starring John Saxon, Linda Cristal and Joseph Calleia.
The screenplay of the film is based on the novel of the same name by Irving Shulman. However, in the transition from print to film the Jewish Brooklyn gang of the novel became a Puerto Rican gang in Spanish Harlem.
A young Puerto Rican-American named Miguel (played by John Saxon) returns to his home in a poor section of Harlem, determined to leave his life of gang involvement behind. However, his father (played by Joseph Calleia) still sees him as a hoodrat delinquent, which motivates Miguel to prove he can change. As he struggles to resist the temptation of returning to crime and earn his fatherâÂÂs respect, he also tries to win over Sarita (played by Linda Cristal), an undocumented immigrant. Torn between his past and his desire for a better future, Miguel must decide which path he will take.
Produced by Harry Kleiner under Canon Productions, Anne Productions Inc., the film was based on ShulmanâÂÂs novel, which was originally set to be produced by Mort Briskin for Morjay Productions, Inc., and released by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. However, Hecht-Hill-Lancaster purchased the story from Shulman in 1955. In 1958 Harry Kleiner completely rewrote Shulman's "mid-depression novel about a Jewish family in Brooklyn." Kleiner had spent two weeks in Spanish Harlem interviewing a multitude of locals on all aspects of life there to gather an authentic perspective. The producers borrowed John Saxon and Linda Cristal from Universal for the film. Cry Tough marked the screen's first attempt at depicting "second generation Puerto Ricans in Manhattan." Cry Tough was television director Paul Stanley's first attempt at theatrical filmmaking, and also marked the first of two films made by producer Harry Kleiner under his Canon Productions banner.
The public opinion of Cry Tough was mixed. With The New York Times' Bosley Crowther accusing John Saxon of doing a Marlon Brando impersonation, it confused "the ethnic factor", as well as the film's portrayal of Hispanic identity. After Cry Tough, Paul Stanley returned to episodic television and did not attempt another feature until Cotter (1973), an Irish production.