You are here:

Emergency Squad

Name: Emergency Squad
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Released: 1940
Duration: 58 min

Representation Score

1.8/10

Minimal

1940

Approved

Director

Edward Dmytryk

Runtime

58 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Emergency Squad is a typical 1940s crime drama that adheres closely to genre conventions. While it features a proactive female lead, Betty Bryant, it remains anchored in the demographic and moral norms of its time. The film leans heavily on traditional romantic dynamics and a black-and-white moral structure. This approach restricts the exploration of more nuanced social issues and diverse perspectives. Overall, the production mirrors the era's homogeneous casting and conventional storytelling methods.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Emergency Squad have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories. The central romance focuses on a traditional relationship between Betty Bryant and Dan Barton.

How does Emergency Squad portray gender?

Fair

Betty Bryant is a strong female character who drives the plot as an ambitious reporter. However, her actions are often influenced by her romantic feelings towards a male character.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Emergency Squad?

Minimal

The film follows the casting practices typical of its era, featuring mostly white actors. There are no characters of color with significant roles.

How does Emergency Squad represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story emphasizes traditional Western institutions and moral binaries, distinguishing clearly between lawful citizens and criminals.

Does Emergency Squad include disability representation?

Minimal

No disabilities, visible or otherwise, are shown in the film. The plot centers on physical action and criminal activities.

Present on Screen

Betty Bryant is a dynamic female lead who drives the plot as an ambitious reporter.
The female lead actively investigates and advances the plot.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on traditional heterosexual romantic dynamics to motivate the female lead.
The movie lacks racial diversity and characters of color with significant roles.
The story adheres to a strict moral binary rather than exploring systemic or subjective complexities.

Official Synopsis

Betty Bryant is an ambitious newspaper reporter in love with Dan Barton, a member of a big-city Emergency Squad who are trained to deal with riots, cave-in, explosions, fires and other emergencies where lives are at stake. Slade Wiley, an unscrupulous tunnel builder, finds that his low bid on the Newford Tunnel project is causing him to lose a lot of money, and has underworld leader Nick Burton set off blasts to frighten the stockholders into selling their shares at a low price so he can buy up the stock. Betty is investigating the deal when Wiley and Burton take her on a "tour trip" to the tunnel.

How are these scores produced? →