NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: MGM Blu-ray (June 2025): MGM has transferred Gene Milford's The Pusher to Blu-ray. It is on a single-layered disc with a high bitrate but seemingly unrestored. It is subject to the surviving elements,  which are in decent shape. Shot in stark black-and-white, the film employs a gritty, semi-documentary style that captures the raw texture of New York City’s streets. Cinematographer Arthur J. Ornitz’s (Death Wish, Serpico) location shooting in Manhattan and the Bronx (Riverside Drive, Morningside Park, East Harlem) showcases areas rarely seen in mainstream films. The film’s visual style, while not revolutionary, aligns with late-1950s B-noir, prioritizing atmosphere over polish. There are pleasing textures and it looks reasonably consistent throughout. Not stellar but serviceable. 

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, MGM uses a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The sound design of The Pusher is functional but understated, reflecting its low-budget constraints. Ambient sounds (street traffic, nightclub music, the clatter of tenements) create a realistic urban soundscape, particularly in Spanish Harlem scenes, where a loud radio draws police to Anibal’s body. The withdrawal scene is aurally intense with Laura’s screams, moans, and silences dominating dialogue in the lossless transfer. The score, composed by Raymond Scott (Never Love a Stranger,) a noted jazz and electronic music innovator, is a highlight. His music blends moody jazz with percussive elements, evoking the beatnik and noir influences of the era. The score is used sparingly, primarily in transitional scenes and the nightclub sequence featuring Maria’s dance, where it complements the frenetic energy. Audio matches the competent video. MGM offers optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The MGM Blu-ray offers no extras at all. It is a true bare-bones release.

Gene Milford's The Pusher (adapted from Ed McBain’s 1956 novel of the same name from his 87th Precinct series) is a gritty crime drama set in New York City’s Spanish Harlem and broader Manhattan. The film’s central theme is the devastating impact of heroin addiction, portrayed not as a moral failing but as a pervasive social issue that can ensnare anyone, regardless of background. The film’s depiction of New York City’s underbelly (seedy nightclubs, tenements, and drug dens) reflects a broader theme of urban decay, where poverty and crime foster a cycle of hopelessness. The Pusher was produced by M.K.R. Films, Inc. with initial involvement from Miro Productions, a company linked to Harold Robbins and Raymond Scott, though not credited in the final release. Filmed in 1958 but released in 1960 by United Artists, the film’s delayed release may reflect post-production issues or distributor hesitancy. Its focus on heroin addiction (rare for its time) aligns with a shift toward social realism in cinema, influenced by McBain’s procedural novels. The MGM Blu-ray may be a worthwhile purchase for noir enthusiasts, fans of Robert Lansing’s (Scalpel, 4D Man, The Grissom Gang, Star Trek, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, Empire of the Ants, The Nest) early work, or those intrigued by the film’s progressive take on addiction, offering a chance to rediscover a compelling, authentic portrayal of 1950s New York’s underbelly. The lack of supplements are reflected in the price. There is some value here.

Gary Tooze