Following his stunning portrayal as the sociopathic killer Tommy Udo in 1948's
Kiss of Death, Richard Widmark helped cement his place as an antisocial film character in
Road House, playing Jeffy Robbins, the owner of a road house who flies into a murderous rage after being rejected by singer Lily Stevens (Ida Lupino). Although Jeffy was into Lily, Lily was much more interested in Jeffy's longtime friend and business manager, Pete Morgan (Cornell Wilde). At first Pete shuns Lily because he thinks she is "Jeffy's girl." But Pete and Lily soon fall for each other and decide to run away. Pete also takes $600 owed him by Jeffy. Jeffy claims that $2000 is missing and has Pete arrested. Pete is found guilty but is released into Jeffy's custody, allowing Jeffy to try a murderous scheme.
Sharp dialog, interesting staging, and a noirish conclusion were all hallmarks of this film. Widmark was highly praised for his role and Lupino does a good job singing "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road" and "again."
Directed by Jean Negulesco (Johnny Belinda, How To Marry a Millionaire, Three Coins in a Fountain) and scripted by Edward Chodorov (The Hucksters, The League of Frightened Men, Madame Du Barry), from a story by Margaret Gruen and Oscar Saul. also featured in the cast is Celeste Holm as Susie the road house cashier who happens to be rather fond of Pete.
The movie has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's certainly worth that high rating.
https://archive.org/details/roadhouse1948usafeaturingidalupinocornelwilderichardwidmarkfilmnoirfullmovie
I was aware of its reputation, and I certainly like most of what I've seen with/from Lupino and Widmark (Wilde more a mixed bag), but I haven't seen this one yet. I'll seek it out.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the kind of movie Megan likes. Me, not as much.
ReplyDeleteMegan has great taste but, then, so do you. Different strokes...
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