The last film noir giant is gone. Richard Widmark died earlier this week at the age of 93. Widmark had a long and varied career in Hollywood but is remembered by me for his roles in classic film noir. Widmark's first film role turned out to be a career defining moment. His Tommy Udo in Kiss of Death remains one of the great film performances. He not only stole the film from the stars (he was billed forth) but he created an iconic character that's still aped today.
"Hoods are good parts because they're always flashy and attract attention. If you've got any ability, you can use that as a stepping stone. " Richard Widmark
Who can ever forget that laugh of Tommy Udo's? If you watch the film today and you'll end up finding yourself fast forwarding past the Victor Mature stuff just to get to Widmark. I bet film audience back in the 40s both loved Widmark's performances in crime dramas but also hoped they wouldn't run into him in a dark alley leaving the theater.
Although he played tough-as-nails characters in film he was known as a smart gentle man in "real" life. In No Way Out Widmark spewed racial slurs at Sidney Poitier. Widmark the man didn't feel right doing it. During filming, Poitier ended up having to tell Widmark that he was cool with it because it was important to the film - the movie is way ahead of it's time when it comes to Hollywood dealing with race. Widmark is so convincing as the hateful criminal it's surprising to hear that he Poitier ended up as life long friends. Widmark said later, "I was playing this horrible part. I didn't want to play it because the character was an awful racist. But I'm glad I did it because I met Sidney Poitier. "
In film noir, Widmark is obviously remembered for his bad guy roles. He did get to be the hero now and then but it was never as interesting. Maybe the best roles after Kiss of Death were playing anti heroes in Night and the City and Sam Fuller's Pickup on South Street.
Here's Widmark in a few lesser films: saving the world in Panic in the Streets and back on the street again in The Street With No Name. Most semi-documentaries like these didn't age well- but Widmark had a knack for giving timeless performances that elevated his film roles above the corny flag-waving stuff semi-documentaries were known for. He almost single-handedly lifted these preachy crime films from B-movie fluff to serious film noir.
Widmark wasn't always top banana in his films. Not to be forgotten are his costarring roles in Road House with Ida Lupino and Don't Bother to Knock with Marilyn Monroe. Road House is underrated and just a fantastic little noir. They need to re-release this one on DVD. And how can you not like the slightly sleazy trailer for Don't Bother to Knock?
Widmark is gone but he's a legend that won't be forgotten - thanks to his films being reissued on home video and airing on television. Obviously, he gave more than his roles in film noir (he was in some amazing Westerns too) but for many of us he was the tough guy in some very dark films.
The blond-haired maturely handsome Widmark aged well - at least I found his heavily-lined face to have even more character in 60s and 70s movies. Middle-aged Widmark found himself working in some excellent films later in life (including the star-filled Murder on the Orient Express.) He took another shot at noir too. Here's Madigan:
Share your thoughts on Richard Widmark at the message board.
3 comments:
HE will be missed. He is- was NOir
here's a link to one of the best Manic Runs in all of Noir the Opening of Night and the City in Old London...Tommy UDO were gonna miss ya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXHD6c_qQRA
feel free to add it to the tribute
This tribute was enjoyable. It also has 3 grammatical errors and 1 spelling error.
Why are the pissy comments always from "anonymous"? Guess I answered my own question.
Post a Comment