tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post7373753422015030485..comments2024-01-11T05:02:32.321-05:00Comments on Goodfella's Movie Blog: #32: Kiss of Death (Henry Hathaway, 1947)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-52959244576254360872010-03-24T15:56:38.252-04:002010-03-24T15:56:38.252-04:00I remember I loved this one when I saw it last yea...I remember I loved this one when I saw it last year.<br /><br />Seeing Brian Donlevy in a "good man" role was quite refreshing. Victor Mature was solid, I know he didn't care much for acting, but it doesn't ruin anything for me, I kinda came to liking him. Richard Widmark is incredibly amazing, but I still prefer him in the "good guy" parts or at least grayish, not downright evil.Quirky Characterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13590664018386916883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-8162176849858911812010-03-24T15:09:14.634-04:002010-03-24T15:09:14.634-04:00Sam - Glad to hear that this is a favorite of your...Sam - Glad to hear that this is a favorite of yours as well. You're right in assessing Widmark's performance, and I'm not exactly revealing a great secret in saying that NIGHT AND THE CITY will be heard from as the countdown continues!<br /><br />John - I think Mature does quite well here, but agree that his overall body of work can be uneven.<br /><br />Jeffrey - Thanks for checking in. This movie is certainly one of the treats of the Fox Film Noir series and it looks great on the DVD release.<br /><br />M.Roca - A wonderful assessment here. And I agree with you, I hope that as the countdown winds down that others will share their own lists of noirs. That will be its own post once the countdown has been completed.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-32578346232602543022010-03-24T12:45:48.938-04:002010-03-24T12:45:48.938-04:00The female narration does not bother me in this fi...The female narration does not bother me in this film. It is used rather sparingly and does not have that booming dated sound of T-Men. I agree with your assessment that Widmark's character is not the central focus and thus the argument that he is underdeveloped seem trivial. I"m also in accord with John that Mature is a weak actor but I happen to like him in this movie. He does a good job conveying Nick's struggles with trying to do the right thing while feeling guilt over his criminal code allegiances. Widmark does shine in his scenes and this is one of his four great noir performances. I'm hoping Panic in the Streets makes this countdown since I feel he does a marvelous job against type in that film (though the list may be too far ahead for me to think you will be including it). Kiss of Death is indeed underrated and I think its placement here is slightly high but definitely top 40. I'm always commenting on the rankings because I also love making lists. I hope after you declare your number one that all the other commentators will list their top 10 or 20. I'm curious to see their own favorites.....M.RocaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-10229883675716846002010-03-24T10:01:04.991-04:002010-03-24T10:01:04.991-04:00Dave, it's been quite awhile since I've se...Dave, it's been quite awhile since I've seen this one, but I definitely love it. I agree that its "documentary style shooting" is fantastic, and there's so much other greatness here, as well, which you've superbly covered.Jeffrey Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464544798603030406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-79644239429456735932010-03-24T08:04:25.945-04:002010-03-24T08:04:25.945-04:00Overall, I like this film Dave, maybe not quite as...Overall, I like this film Dave, maybe not quite as high in esteem as you but this is a fine noir. Some thoughts…. Widmark’s performance eclipses the film, and the old lady (Mildred Dunnock) in the wheelchair down the stairs scene is as iconic as Cagney’s “Top of the World, Ma!” in “White Heat.” Victor Mature on the other hand is a limited actor whose range goes from about A to B and his performance undercuts the film a bit. The relationship between Mature and Gray is just a bit too good to be true and develops awfully quick, however, she is fine in the role, and the police just seem to be a little too goody two shoes. That all said, the New York location scenes are made the most of and add to the reality of the the film. I probably would have ranked this a bit lower overall.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-1688531646721057042010-03-24T07:58:06.835-04:002010-03-24T07:58:06.835-04:00That wheelchair scene is horrifying indeed. Again...That wheelchair scene is horrifying indeed. Again you've chosen a quality film here, one that boasts Wildmark's second best performance behind Dassin's NIGHT AND THE CITY. The film is indeed negotiated by blending a 'documentary realism' with the 'gritty, noirish, set pieces' and Brodine's work is extraordinary here. The narration didn't bother me, but yes, I agree there was some moralyzing we could have done without. And yes, Dave, Jarrett is a novice next to this supreme sadist. Geez, you have me in the mood to watch this again after reading this wonderful and dead-on assessment.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.com