Films gris offer a leftist criticism[4] of society in general, and of capitalism in particular.
They typically examine such themes as the psychological damages of class, the false promises of middle class happiness, and the pitfalls of materialism.[5] The politically-active John Garfield was frequently cast by producing partner Bob Roberts as the leading actor in this sub-genre.
Andersen, Thom. "Red Hollywood." Literature and the Visual Arts in Contemporary Society. Eds. Suzanne Ferguson and Barbara S. Groseclose. Columbus: Ohio State University Press. (1985).
Hirsch, Joshua. "Film Gris Reconsidered." The Journal of Popular Film and Television 34.2. (2006).
Maland, Charles. "Film Gris: Crime, Critique, and Cold War Culture in 1951." Film Criticism 26.3. (2002).