Kiss of Death

Victor Mature and Coleen Gray star in this 1947 suspense filled drama of violence and betrayal directed by Henry Hathaway. Richard Widmark makes his screen debut in spectacular fashion as a psychopathic killer with a cackling laugh. 

Rather than squeal on his associates in a botched jewel robbery Mature's character takes the rap and goes to prison. He's Italian and it's an unwritten code of honor.  However, his wife and two small children are left behind only to be abandoned by his so-called friends. His desperate wife takes her own life leading him to finally cooperate with the police. He is asked to infiltrate a criminal organization, something that puts him and his family in danger.

This crime drama was shot on location in New York City which really adds to its authenticity. The opening scene, shot in a crowded elevator in NY's Chrysler building is one of the great openings in film noir history. However, the most memorable and influential scene in the film comes later when Richard Widmark, playing the crazed killer Tommy Odo, pushes a wheelchair bound old woman down a flight of steps. ###

Richard Widmark and Victor Mature

Richar

I Wake Up Screaming

I Wake Up Screaming.  In a rare dramatic role Betty Grable plays the sister of a beautiful, murdered model in this 1941 film that some consider to be the first film noir. While police search for the murderer, Grable is falling in love with the prime suspect played by Victor Mature. The many plot twists and turns of this film leave viewers guessing right to the end. Carole Landis, Laird Cregar, and Elisha Cook Jr. round out a fine cast. 82 minutes. CC.

Bruce Humberstone directed this film based on a story by prolific crime novelist Steve Fisher. I would like to list some of the reasons why this film is among my favorite film noir.

First, Victor Mature is, I believe, the first Italian American leading man. Previously, Italians were usually portrayed as sleazy criminals. Mature creates an attractive and sympathetic character in this film.

Second, Betty Grable is surprisingly good in a serious role, as is Carole Landis as her sister. 

Third, It has all the basic noir elements: skewed camera angles, flashbacks, lighting, nighttime settings, contrasts between light and dark, as well as a haunting musical score that alternates between the romantic, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and the haunting Street Scene, a melody used over and over in later film noir.

Most of all there is the great performance of Laird Cregar who plays a hulking police detective obsessed with bringing the killer to justice. I should also mention Elisha Cook Jr. who plays a creepy apartment house desk clerk.

For more information about the film, here is a link to Eddie Muller's fine intro.

Betty Grable and Victor Mature