Kiss of Death (1947 film)

Kiss of Death is a 1947 film noir movie written by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer from a story by Eleazar Lipsky. It was directed by Henry Hathaway. It stars Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen Gray and Richard Widmark.

Related Topics:
1947 - Film noir - Ben Hecht - Charles Lederer - Eleazar Lipsky - Henry Hathaway - Victor Mature - Brian Donlevy - Coleen Gray - Richard Widmark

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nick Bianco (Mature) is a small-time thief who gets caught in a jewelery theft. He refuses to inform on his confederates, since they pledge to take care of Nick's wife and family. But when he finds out that his wife has committed suicide, Nick decides to inform. Once he gets out of jail, he is stalked by one of his confederates, the psychopathic Tommy Udo (Widmark).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kiss of Death was Widmark's first movie, and it made him a star. The scene in which he giggles as he pushes a wheelchair bound old woman down a flight of stairs is memorable. In the book A Panorama of American Film Noir 1941-1953 writers Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton note:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"From Henry Hathaway's Kiss of Death (1947), one will remember that nasty little creep with the wild eyes and high-pitched laugh, neurotic to the core, which Richard Widmark has turned into one of his finest roles."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~