The only thing I don’t like about this movie is the fakery of its name. It should be called Prevention of Panic in the Streets. But agree that doesn’t look as nice on a marquis.
Although it has noir elements, this is not a noir. Frankly, it follows more tropes of 1950s “B” Sci-Fi. Only the Sci isn’t Fi – this shit could happen. Look at the Swine Flu nonsense from last week.
The performances are really top notch. Kazan’s theater background is made very obvious with long takes and wide shots, but there’s plenty of good visual stuff happening as well. Great flick.