Dial 1119 (1950)

Directed by Gerald Mayer
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Marshall Thompson is the stereotypical killer: mostly quiet, doesn't like people, ex-military. He ends up in Terminal City after escaping from a mental hospital. He takes several people hostage at the Oasis Bar. Police negotiations ensue, some people live and some are killed. The role of the media is examined, which is unusual for 1950. There is a big screen TV in the bar, and thanks to news coverage the killer watches the police outside as they decide what to do next. One of the hostages is a newspaper reporter, and they also play a role. Interesting angles, though I felt it could have been more tense.