Kiss of Death (1947)

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Love film-noir and classic film, was really intrigued by the story (one of my favourite kinds of stories) and wanted to see how Richard Widmark's (an actor who specialised in playing villains and nasty characters) widely lauded film debut would fare. Will admit though to not being a big fan of Victor Mature, while not belonging in the deride camp that he tends to fall into.'Kiss of Death' turned out to be a film that lived up to high expectations quite splendidly. Have seen some wastes of potential recently so seeing a film that doesn't in any way was a relief. Perhaps not quite exceeding them, but can totally see the appeal. Everything that 'Kiss of Death' has been especially noted for was obvious from start to finish and it is a good representation of why the genre and this kind of story appeals to me. The romantic relationship did feel rushed for my liking. Also thought that the middle act dragged occasionally.However, 'Kiss of Death' is rich in atmosphere, love the grit of the cinematography, the crispness of the editing and the authenticity of the locations. The music is used sparingly but fits well when used. Henry Hathaway directs in a way that always makes the film involving and suspenseful, not dumbing down anything and making the considered shocking content have full impact.The script is taut and intelligent, as well as free of fat. The story never stops being suspenseful and what could have been an ordinary story turns into a work that is mature, tense and suspenseful, sometimes tragic, with the wheelchair/stairs scene that unsurprisingly shocked audiences at the time still one of the most shocking and iconic acts of evil on film.Victor Mature's sympathetic performance is one of his best by a considerable degree, while Coleen Gray and Brian Donlevy (cast against type) are strong support. 'Kiss of Death' belongs though to Richard Widmark, his unforgettably frightening performance is not only one of the best film debuts ever but also one of the most evil incarnate psychopathic characters on film.Overall, very good and worth seeing especially for Widmark. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Well I did not get the point why this movie was called "Kiss of Death". I expect a "femme fatale" in a movie with that title but there was none. The movie is dated, an average film noir of the forties, but the acting of Richard Widmark is simply great and the wheelchair incident was quick but splendid for the forties. The loving father figure was quite overacted. Overall the movie is still worth seeing when you are a film noir fanatic. The script is OK but somewhat predictable, the shooting scene at the end was fast and quite unreal. But most of all ...the last spoken lines sounded irritating and should be better for a nowadays public. Normally I would give it a 5 but Widmark's performance tilted it up to a 6.

It's Christmas Eve. Ex-con Nick Bianco (Victor Mature) has been unable to find work for a year. He robs a jewelry store with his cohorts. He is shot by the police while escaping. He refuses to cooperate with the ADA and sentenced to hard times. His wife kills herself and their two daughters end up in an orphanage. The girls' babysitter Nettie Cavallo tells him that his wife had an affair with his accomplice Pete Rizzo. The ADA won't reduce his sentence after 3 years in prison but Nick squeals on his accomplices anyways. They imply that Rizzo is the squealer. Killer Tommy Udo (Richard Widmark) comes looking for Rizzo and pushes his paralyzed mother down the stairs. For helping to locate evidence and providing testimony against Udo, Bianco gets early parole and reunites with his kids. Nettie is his new wife. Everything is great until Udo gets acquitted in his trial.Victor Mature is rather dull and stiff. I think he holds back the movie. On the other hand, Richard Widmark is having lots of fun with his crazy laugh. He actually pushes an old lady in a wheelchair down the stairs. That's a true gangster move. This is mostly a functional crime drama and an amazing villain turned in by Widmark.

A noir classic, though, I must say, I wasn't particularly blown away by it. Victor Mature stars as a crook who gets sent up the river. He refuses to squeal on his cohorts, believing that they'll take care of his wife and daughters when he does his time. No dice. His wife ends up killing herself due to her abject poverty and, to save his daughters from the orphanage, Mature decides to go full-on piggy and squeal his guts out. One of his targets is former cellmate Richard Widmark. Unfortunately he's a total maniac and, when the case doesn't stick, Widmark targets Mature and his family. Widmark is the reason to watch it. He's delightfully psychotic. He received a deserved Oscar nomination for the film. I think my main problem was with Mature, who's kind of boring. I regret the fact that Widmark is only in the film for like 12 minutes. Brian Donlevy and Coleen Gray co-star.