Richard Widmark, Actor: 1914 - 2008
Actor Richard Widmark died Monday at age 93. Nominated for an Academy Award and winner of a Golden Globe for his first screen performance as the revenge-seeking psychopathic killer, Tommy Udo, in Kiss of Death in 1947, Widmark may be best remembered for the scene where he pushes the mother of his victim down the stairs in her wheelchair. It’s one of the more indelible and replayed scenes in film noir.
Widmark capitalized on his new fame with a 7-year contract at 20th Century Fox, but only on condition that he not be confined to villainous roles. Though he was frequently cast as the heavy, especially early on, he did manage to branch out. Even so, his best work had an edge to it.
He was especially good as a pickpocket in Samuel Fuller’s Pickup on South Street and as a grifter in Jules Dassin’s Night and the City.
Widmark had recently broken a vertebrae and his health had been deteriorating.
The New York Times has a nice look at Widmark’s career here.
Filed under: News, Obituaries
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Oh dammit. That sucks. He was great in Pickup on South Street. I really need to see Night and the City.
RIP. Underrated actor whose best work was always sincere and very “edgy.”
Also love his performance as a racist thug in No Way Out with Sidney Poitier, with whom he costarred in several different films of varying quality.
His other highlights are mentioned by Craig above.
He enjoyed a great full life, at least.
There’s something about the way he looked that just said “danger.” Facially he looked like a skull with skin.
Man, another one. RIP, Mr. Widmark. He did live a long life, though, as Alexander points out. Age 93.
He truly did have an edge to him, Craig. I loved his villains. But, of course, in Don’t Bother to Knock, he was a plain airline pilot that gets involved with Marilyn Monroe, who was the dangerous one in that film. :-)
He was always a mesmerizing, charismatic presence. He played cruelty well but could also make an unsentimental brand of intelligent humanity powerfully convincing.
I wish he had done more films that better showcased his artistry.
That’s a spot-on description, Craig. There was a fierceness and menace about him.
I just saw him as a lovey-dovey husband and good guy in Panic in the Streets by Elia Kazan a couple months ago.
Thinking about him, I also think his performances in John Sturges’ The Law and Jake Wade, Edward Dmytryk’s Warlock and John Ford’s Two Rode Together–all Westerns–were all well-realized and, if you put them together, would make a good little trilogy of Widmark performances of varying tone and characterization.
The Bedford Incident is a neat little film he made with Poitier in the mid-’60s, if a little absurd. I always liked his cop performance in Don Siegel’s Madigan.
joel, you should definitely check out Night and the City. The conclusion is as pitch-black bleak as noir gets while having that certain Dassin touch of transcendence.
“The conclusion is as pitch-black bleak as noir gets while having that certain Dassin touch of transcendence.”
Love the apt poetry of that sentence.
That’s a great compliment coming from you especially, sartre. :-)
Reading the online article of the New York Times, I see that I really, really need to see Cheyenne Autumn, one of the very few John Ford films I’ve yet to see, as well as Time Limit.
God damn it, how many legends are going to lose this month, much less this year? Loved Widmark, particularly in the movies everyone knows, such as Kiss , Pick Up and Don’t Bother Knocking (which would have been better if a talented actress had been cast opposite Widmark but that’s another thread).
Not a Marilyn Monroe fan I see, Chuck. ;-)
I’m not trying to be a thread stealer, because I love Widmark’s work, but I absolutely cannot stand Marilyn Monroe. I can’t stand that pleading, desperate, self-conscious quality that she brings to her work, and I don’t find her to be a good actress anyway. I, and I’m not trying to place too much importance in this, don’t even find her attractive.
That felt good.
Chuck, that confessional venting was reminiscent of Plainview shouting ‘I abandoned my child, I abandoned my boy’.
Widmark will be missed for many reasons, not the least his liberal politics.
One interesting film he did — The Cobweb (1955; Vincente Minelli) — features him as the head of a psychiatric clinic. Also in the cast: Gloria Grahame, Lauren Bacall, Charles Boyer, Lillian Gish, Fay Wray, Susan Strasberg, and Oscar Levant playing a nutcase.
Oscar Levant playing a nutcase? The movie’s worth seeing just for that. :-)
Up until a few years ago, I’d have agreed with you on Monroe, Chuck, but I have since seen the error of my ways. She was a gifted light comedienne and had a knack for drama, but rarely was rarely in a movie equal to her wattage. She delivered both in Some Like it Hot brilliantly. Once I got past her persona (it happened when I finally saw Misfits) I was converted to the cult.
That’s right, Alison. Levant was known to have psychological problems to begin with, so even he joked about the fact that in that film he was playing himself.
Completely agree with Craig re Marilyn. And unlike you Chuck, I thought she was sexy as hell - more for the vulnerability than the bombshell look.
I DVR-d The Cobweb off of TCM so long ago and I’ve yet to see it. Better put that higher on my “To See” list ASAP.
Monroe can be kind of annoying with her persona smothering her performances, but John Huston used her with great care and sensitivity in The Asphalt Jungle and then most assuredly in a great role in The Misfits. I like some of her more bubbly turns, like in Hawks’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Wilder’s Some Like it Hot as well.
She had a nice supporting dramatic performance in Clash By Night, though that was really Barbara Stanwyck’s movie.
My least favorite is probably Seven Year Itch. That one has always rubbed me the wrong way.
The best part of Gentlemen is when she turns out to be smarter than she plays and she explains that men just don’t like smart girls.
I will concede that she’s more appealing in supporting turns such as Asphault Jungle and Clash By Night, but I really still don’t get it, and I’ve seen Misfits.
Saying “I don’t get it” is probably inaccurate, I think I can understand why people take to her, but I simply don’t. I will say that Billy Wilder used her as well as she possibly could be used, especially in Some Like it Hot, but I think Alexander said it best with “her personality smothering performances”. I tend to not go for a lot of major female actresses that everyone likes (I can’t stand Queen Roberts) so maybe I’M the idiot.
And my apologies if I sound like a crank, Monroe is a pet peeve of mine, as I’ve made obvious.
We’re all idiots, it’s just that we come in different shades.
It’s simply a matter of taste Chuck.
Speaking of TCM, hopefully they will put a little Widmark fest together in the coming days.
I really hope TCM does indeed do that, Chuck.
I better go run off and buy more recordable discs!
Uh, tell us how you really feel, Chuck.
I’ve been a provocateur my entire life. Let’s just say it comes with the territory. If you knew me away from the net then you’d understand. In about five seconds flat.
Let me say (quite emphatically) that I don’t think you’re an idiot. AT ALL. You are certainly entitled to any opinion you have - just as much as the rest of us are. I’ve adored Marilyn Monroe since I was eight. She and Elizabeth Taylor were the very first female movie stars that I loved wholeheartedly and my great affection for them still exists. I was also a huge Julia Roberts fan from the time that my aunt took me to see Mystic Pizza back in the day. BUT THAT’S ME.
You should stand tall and proud, Chuck. I think anything that sets you apart from the mainstream and makes you an individual is a real positive - and I do mean that sincerely.
My own mother always rolled her eyes over many of the people that I worshipped. She never understood my unending adoration of Faye Dunaway or any of the bombshell females. She liked June Allyson, Jane Wyman, Judy Garland - all the cute little women. She thought Sidney Poitier was cool. All of those actors were fine by me but (with the possible exception of Judy) they weren’t big favourites.
I’ve met VERY few men in my time (generations after the fact) that were immune to the charms of Marilyn Monroe. Given the fact that we’re all drawn to different types of people (onscreen and off) it’s particularly amazing. I’ve known boys that didn’t care for blondes especially or who liked their girls stick thin. But they all thought that Marilyn was the absolute living end.
The only man that I can think of offhand that wasn’t knocked sideways by her was my brother. When I asked him why, he said, “I don’t go for that dumb blonde schtick.” Ah, but she was actually a reflective and intelligent person. Those were just CHARACTERS, I said. He wasn’t impressed in any case. He said since he didn’t meet her and would never have the opportunity to get to know her all he could go by was what he saw onscreen. She just didn’t do it for him.
I think it boils down to this, but it’s only my personal viewpoint. The vast majority of straight men, to this day, like women with curves. Not overweight, of course. But men (unless they’re emotionally retarded control freaks) are not generally excited by this size 00 nonsense that a lot of females (unfortunately) buy into these days. The main reason men are attracted to women is because they’re different. So the fact that Marilyn was voluptuous (especially back in the 50s) was a factor that was exceptionally appealing.
To add to that, she wore her tremendous vulnerability on her sleeve. With women like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner (two great beauties that were unbelievably hot) I’m sure many males found them horribly intimidating. They appeared self assured and as if they could take care of themselves. (Apparently that was the case off screen as well.) Marilyn had a great softness to her that set off her sex goddess persona and made her far more accessible. She was someone that a lot of men wouldn’t be afraid of approaching.
Just of curiousity (and I mean this with the outmost respect), who are your favourite female actors, Chuck? Which lovely lasses truly ring your bell? Inquiring minds want to know…
Craig, I have to confess that, out of all of the films where Marilyn had a lead presence that I really enjoyed (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How To Marry A Millionaire, The Prince And The Showgirl, Some Like It Hot, The Misfits) The Seven Year Itch is probably my personal favourite.
Widmark’s performance in Pickup on South Street was just about perfect. I also have a soft spot for his performance in the first movie I saw him in, Murder on the Orient Express.
My personal favorite Marilyn performance is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I don’t find her pleading, desperate, or self-conscious at all, in it or any of her other movies.
Miranda I appreciate the back up, even if we don’t see eye to eye. Off the top of my head here are a few actresses that ring my bell, both in the past and the present:
Naomi Watts, Gene Tierney, Barbara Stanwyck, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak (if you’ve worked with either Hitch or Lynch you’ve got a shot in my book), Jennifer Jason Leigh (wished she worked more), Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz, Juliette Binoche.
I thought Sienna Miller was terrific in Interview last year. I also, last year, really liked Carice Van Houten in Black Book. Those are a few I’m sure I’m overlooking some BIG ones that I like. The actresses that I mentioned were the ones that I felt fell into that, or can fall into that, “sexy star that’s still talented” categorization.
We may not agree on Marilyn, Chuck. But I have no arguments with the outstanding attractiveness of your listed bell ringers. Perhaps only Stanwyck and Weisz don’t quite reach the level of appeal to me as the others.
Chuck, despite your lack of love for Marilyn, I absolutely CAN NOT fault your taste. Those women are all, to a person, extremely good looking.
I’d go as far as saying that Ms. Watts, Ms. Tierney and Ms. Novak are incredibly beautiful. I just happen to be big fans of those three.
I also totally agree concerning Ms. Miller. I loved Interview so much I saw it twice - and I’m very happy that Sienna agreed to take on that role. You have to be absolutely masterful to do a two hander like that and she really was smashing. Anybody who’s ever seen that film will know - once it’s over - that she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Not a big deal that Marilyn doesn’t do it for you. If we all agreed on everything, this world would be a very boring place - to me, at least.
Miranda, I had a feeling I’d be stepping on someone’s toes with my opinion of 7 Year Itch.
The thought of gross Tom Ewell pawing all over Marilyn creeps me out. Plus, more than in any of her other films, she’s treated like a piece of meat. A mere fantasy object. There was always that element to her persona, but usually it had more complex layers if you looked for them.
Mostly though, I just hate Tom Ewell.
You opened the door to talent and beauty outside the US there Chuck, so I’d offer Julie Delpy to that list too. I think she’s gorgeous and she’s occasionally shown some serious acting chops on-screen. I could probably watch her recite the alphabet though, so I’m not certain how valuable my opinion on the matter is.
And now that I’ve steered you towards France, I’d mention Virginie Ledoyen. She’s incredibly beautiful, but I’ve never been amazed by her work so I don’t think she really qualifies for the list (or at least, my list).
Kathleen Turner has always been one sultry talent.
And if we’re going in the wayback machine, I must mention: Ingrid Bergman.
Speaking of international I can’t believe I forgot Ludivine Sagnier, who in Swimming Pool, was one of the god damned sexist creatures I’ve ever seen. That she has talent is a plus.
Concur on Delpy, and I thought her 2 Days was charming for what it was, kind of a comic reaction to the mooniness of Linklater colloborations, at least it seemed to me.
And I hate Tom Ewell too.
Don’t get me started on French girls.
Joel, I must concur with you on Ingrid Bergman. She was a gorgeous woman.
I have to agree with the “Seven Year Itch”/Tom Ewell hate. Like Craig points out, it’s the one movie where she was really treated like a piece of meat. The movie was a one-joke horse, with the middle-aged guy gawking over the gorgeous young woman and it got old real fast. It was contrived, particularly the subway grate scene, and rang so false that it was impossible for me to like this movie.
And, yeah, Tom Ewell was creepy.
Someone mentioned Kathleen Turner. She is indeed sultry (we all need a speaking voice like that) and sexy, and very talented. In case anyone has forgotten: Body Heat. I’m sure no one who sees it forgets it. Unfortunately she starred in some real lemons and her career got off-track.
Yep, Body Heat and Prizzi’s Honor were the two movies I was thinking of. Turner’s career quickly went off-course due to the silliness of mainstream filmmaking in the 80’s but man…she’s one smoking hot femme fatale.
I’d mention Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but as sexy as her voice is I think we’d have to give most of the credit there to her being drawn that way.
I also confess to liking her in Romancing the Stone and thought she was good in War of the Roses and Accidental Tourist, even if I have issues with all of those movies otherwise.
Prizzi’s Honor is a fantastic movie.
Kathleen Turner in Body Heat and Prizzi’s Honor is sultry, to be sure.
Demi Moore is a little similar; I think it’s partly their smoky voices. Moore’s acting is, though, at best, only so-so.
I agree with Chuck about Stanwyck, as well as Kate Winslet and Gene Tierney.
Speaking of Lynch women, Isabella Rossellini… Yeah. And of course her wonderful mother, Ingrid Bergman.
Lynch and Hitchcock certainly share that aspect of filmmaking, as well, which was touched on in the Lynch thread–putting women through hell and extracting some mighty fine performances from them in the process.
I’m a very big Julie Delpy fan.
I worshipped Kathleen Turner when I was growing up and I actually have a speaking voice that’s similar. (Or so I’ve been told.) I worked in broadcasting for about two seconds.
Alison is right. Body Heat has been LONG been one of my all time favourites. I had a friend *ahem* introduce me to it on DVD and that was it. I think a lot of the modern noirs are even better than the old classics. Still think Kathleen was robbed of an Oscar nomination for that. It’s one of the most mesmerizing lead female performances I’ve ever seen.
As for Tom Ewell, I’m sure he would speak well of y’all if he were here…
I think Some Like It Hot is fantastic. But I really feel strongly that SYI is a comedy classic in much the same way. I laugh out loud every time I watch it and I think it’s brilliantly written. To my mind, Marilyn’s character is actually degraded much more in the play than she is in the film version. In the play they actually have something going while his wife is away. So naturally they had to tone it down for the movie version. (It WAS the 50s, after all.) But the film is relatively innocent. It doesn’t offend me in any respect.
In both the play and the movie her character is only referred to as “The Girl”. I suppose they could’ve given her a name. But, other than that, I really love it.
Yeah, Alexander, Demi Moore has that same wonderful gravelly, smoky voice as Kathleen but she never really showed the same assured acting chops. Another actress with that same hot voice: Helen Shaver.
Anyway, I always felt like Demi Moore just left me sort of wanting. I’m not sure if it was the roles she took or her acting necessarily, because many of them were fairly lightweight, one-note characters. Then there was that string of god-awful movies she made kicking off the 90’s and she just became a caricature of herself, although her bank account clearly wasn’t hurting.
Kathleen Turner had some major health problems, but the last time I saw an interview with her, she’d bounced back and was as spunky as ever.
I see your point on SIY Miranda, and I will admit I l iked it better this last time around when I had my own private Marilyn Monroe retrospective last summer in anticipation of a blog post that never materialized.
It wouldn’t be any fun if we agreed on everything, would it?
All very true, joel. It would have been interesting to see what she could have done, possibly, in much better roles. Alas, it wasn’t to be. She certainly did become a caricature of herself, sadly, and then like so many other actresses in Hollywood, she just kind of disappeared.
Anyone here a fan of Mike Judge’s KING OF THE HILL? Kathleen Turner was hilarious in a cameo (voice of course) a few years ago.
Kathleen Turner could certainly do voice acting work for the rest of her life.
You’re absolutely right, Craig - as you are very, very often. Agreeing on everything ALL THE TIME is not much fun. I do believe someone else made a similar point elsewhere in this thread, if I’m not mistaken.
Is there an echo in here?
Sh***t…this guy was and always will be my all time favourite—he WAS “Tommy Udo” in ‘Don’t Bother To Knock” (I think that was the flick)…he pushed the old lady (his mother) down the stairs in a a wheelchair (SHE was in one). and I’ll NEVER forget his evil laugh as she bounced down the stairs. What an actor! Right there in the same league as Charles Bronson, Thelma Ritter, James Dean, Peter Ustinov, Peter Lorre, Peter Falk, & many others. He’ll be missed—hell, he’s already missed by the new age.
Not by me and my generation.