KISS OF DEATH easily ranks among the best film noirs of the '40s and it's widely remembered now as the first time audiences got a peek at RICHARD WIDMARK and what a fine actor he was. But it also served to remind us that when given a strong enough role, VICTOR MATURE was more than able to deliver the goods. He's excellent as Nick, the jewel thief kept back from holding decent jobs because of his prison record.
When a nice D.A. (BRIAN DONLEVY) offers him a deal in exchange for squealing on some hoods, Nick finally takes the offer. The rest of the story deals with the consequences of his hard choice.
Some nice supporting roles for MILDRED DUNNOCK, KARL MALDEN, COLEEN GRAY and MILLARD MITCHELL help turn this thriller, directed in taut style by Henry Hathaway, into a winner. Widmark deserved his Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor and Mature proved that he was more than just "a hunk of man" as he was labeled in those days.
When a nice D.A. (BRIAN DONLEVY) offers him a deal in exchange for squealing on some hoods, Nick finally takes the offer. The rest of the story deals with the consequences of his hard choice.
Some nice supporting roles for MILDRED DUNNOCK, KARL MALDEN, COLEEN GRAY and MILLARD MITCHELL help turn this thriller, directed in taut style by Henry Hathaway, into a winner. Widmark deserved his Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor and Mature proved that he was more than just "a hunk of man" as he was labeled in those days.