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Kiss of death5/20/2023 ![]() Two other actors have key roles in here: Brian Donlevy and Colleen Gray (making her credited film debut, too1). He also calls everyone a "squirt." His over- the-top performance puts a lot a spark into this film which, otherwise would have wound up more as a melodrama. Among film noir buffs, however, this film is noted more for Richard Widmark's debut as the sadistic "Tommy Udo." One of the most famous noir scenes of all time is "Udo" throwing an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs! Widmark puts on a fake pair of choppers giving him an exaggerated overbite to go along with his insane little giggle. In the story, he turns "stoolie" so he can earn that freedom and be that family man. Here's a guy torn between being a crook most of his life and the damage it did to him mentally, but at heart a real softie who is desperate to go straight and just be a regular family guy with everyone leaving him alone. This was a 1940s film noir with a little bit different slant: the main character "Nick Bianco" (Victor Mature) being a caring father. Hopefully the American Film Institute will give Widmark a Lifetime Achievement Award and soon. That's a shame because I could think of a couple of other films like Night and the City, Pickup on South Street and Panic in the Streets that would have been worthy of consideration. For all the many good performances Richard Widmark has given in his 91 years, his debut film turned out to be the only time he was ever nominated for an Oscar. His Earle Houser is definitely one of the sleaziest lawyers ever portrayed on the screen. ![]() Though he only has a few scenes, criminal defense attorney Taylor Holmes is also a real stand out. Brian Donlevy, usually a villain, does a good job as the District Attorney. He's caught between concern for his family and living up to the honor system that criminals have among themselves. Mature gives a very good performance of a man running out of options. At that point he rethinks becoming a stoolie for District Attorney Brian Donlevy and the main action of the film begins. Things then go bad for Mature when his wife commits suicide and his two little daughters wind up in an orphanage. By his refusal to be a stoolie, Mature gains the friendship of Widmark who has a special hatred for the breed. He refuses to rat them out and gets a stretch in prison for it. Mature is a career criminal who was left holding the bag for his associates during a jewel heist. Widmark was fourth billed in this film and so dominates it that it's forgotten that Victor Mature is the lead and contributes a good performance in his own right. Widmark in fact had to really convince his bosses at 20th Century Fox that he was capable of more than being a psychopathic killer. That maniacal giggle became his trademark and fodder for impressionists from then on in. When Widmark tied up Mildred Dunnock and threw her down a flight of stairs, gasps aplenty came from audiences. Widmark's portrayal of Tommy Udo in Kiss of Death shocked audiences nationwide. ![]() No bit parts, no walk-ons, Widmark's first feature role netted him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and stardom. Richard Widmark belongs to a select few players who from their screen debut became instant stars.
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