Warlock (1959): Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Richard Widmark

     Directed by Edward Dmytryk, Warlock (1959) is an underrated Western Classic that is worthy of more attention. The story concerns the 1880's western town of Warlock, plagued by outlaw cowboys, that hire a vigilante gunman to clean things up. Shot in DeLuxe Color and CinemaScope, the cinematography is striking and vibrant. The whole cast does a fine job, including Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Richard Widmark, Dorothy Malone and Delores Michaels. 

Warlock. 1959

Warlock. 1959: Richard Widmark

Warlock. 1959

Warlock. 1959

Warlock. 1959: Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn

Warlock. 1959: Anthony Quinn

Warlock. 1959: Anthony Quinn and Henry Fonda

Warlock. 1959: Richard Widmark

Warlock. 1959: Anthony Quinn and Henry Fonda

Warlock. 1959: Richard Widmark

Warlock. 1959: Richard Widmark and Henry Fonda

Kiss of Death (1947): Richard Widmark and Victor Mature

     Directed by Henry Hathaway, and written by Ben Hecht, Kiss of Death (1947) is a prime and dark example of Film Noir at it's best. The story concerns a criminal, eager to make things right for his young children, who double-crosses and rats on a very dangerous gangster. Victor Mature is good in the lead role. Richard Widmark, however, is utterly sadistic as the psychopathic killer Tommy Udo in his screen debut. The scene in which he throws a wheelchair bound old woman down the stairs to her death is chilling and unforgettable. Karl Malden co-stars.

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

"Kiss of Death"- movie trailer

Murder on the Orient Express (1974): Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall

     Based on Agatha Christie's 1934 novel, the producers of Murder on the Orient Express (1974) had difficulty, and required diplomatic intervention, in bringing the story to film. Agatha Christie had disliked the previous film adaptations of her works, and by the late 1960's, had decided not to grant any further permissions. However, when the prospective film makers for Murder on the Orient Express convinced British Royal, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, to request permission on their behalf, Christie naturally agreed... and by all accounts, was pleased with the results, and happy that she did. For assembling the ensemble "Old Hollywood" cast, director Sidney Lumet had the theory, "If you get the biggest star, the rest will come along." He asked Sean Connery first, and once confirmed, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Albert Finney, Anthony Perkins, Richard Widmark, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Jaqueline Bisset and Martin Balsam all enthusiastically agreed to participate.

     A group of passengers board the Orient Express train in Istanbul. Renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) is a last-minute passenger, but thanks to his fame, he is accommodated... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Albert Finney

     When the train is halted by a snow drift, one of the passengers, rich American businessman, Mr. Ratchett (Richard Widmark), is murdered. With Poirot on the case, he quickly discovers that Ratchett, was in fact a criminal responsible for the famous kidnapping and death of Daisy Armstrong (inspired by the real-life baby Lindbergh case), five years previous... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Richard Widmark

     The list of suspects is confined to the 12 passengers on the car, but Poirot must deduce who wanted Ratchett dead, and why... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Anthony Perkins

     These suspects include Mrs. Harriet Hubbard (Lauren Bacall)... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Lauren Bacall

     Colonel Arbuthnott (Sean Connery)... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Sean Connery

     and Greta Ohlsson (Ingrid Bergman, in an Oscar-winning role)... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Ingrid Bergman

     The murderer was shrewd, but they were not expecting Hercule Poirot to be on the train... 

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974

     He will surely solve the case...

Murder on the Orient Express. 1974

Night and the City (1950): Gene Tierney and Richard Widmark

     Directed by Jules Dassin, Night and the City (1950) is a superb example of Film Noir. The story concerns an American hustler in London, whose plans always seem to go wrong. Gene Tierney is stunningly beautiful, as always, in her role. Rumors suggest Gene Tierney was cast on the insistence of Darryl Zanuck, who felt she was suicidal and the work might cheer her up. Richard Widmark is great as the key character. Stanislaus Zbyszko appears as an aging wrestler.

Night and the City. 1950

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950: Gene Tierney

Night and the City. 1950: Richard Widmark and Gene Tierney

Don't Bother to Knock (1952): Marilyn Monroe, Richard Widmark and Anne Bancroft

     One of Marilyn Monroe's first starring roles, in Don't Bother to Knock (1952), gives a glimpse of the raw acting talent she possessed that was tragically underutilized in the remainder of her short career. A great supporting cast rounds out this film nicely... Richard Widmark, Jim Bacchus, Elisha Cook... and a young Anne Bancroft in an early role. 

     A couple in need of a babysitter make the bad decision of hiring Nell (Marilyn Monroe), an emotionally disturbed woman freshly released from the Asylum... 

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

     Nell can't seem to resist trying on the lady's fancy clothes... 

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

     jewelry and other accessories... 

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

     All of these adornments enhance her beauty for the man across the way at the hotel (Richard Widmark), who is in need of some female companionship after a tiff with his girl... 

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

     But he soon finds out that Nell is severely ill, as her mental capacity slips and she pines for a long lost love. The child she is watching interrupts them and the result is not very nurturing... 

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

     Nell is crazy. She has already attempted suicide once in the past. Something must be done...

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe

Don't Bother to Knock. 1952: Marilyn Monroe