Widmark plays the bigoted petty criminal who holds poitiers doctor responsible for. Mildred joanne smith, who portrayed sidney poitiers wife in his film debut, the 1950 drama no way out, and then saw her career upended when she was severely injured in a plane crash, has died. No way out retains much of its dramatic power today. It features the memorable film debut of sidney poitier. Chances are that if you mention the film no way out to people, they will assume youre about to discuss the 1987 thriller starring kevin costner. No way out 1950 cast and crew cast photos and info fandango. Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally and. Read the full synopsis of no way out, 1950, directed by joseph l. No way out dvd, 2006, full frame for sale online ebay. Bnoirdetour showcases the talent of linda darnell in this highly charged film of social criticism that explodes on the screen in no way out 1950. A pioneering film about racial tensions, no way out stars richard widmark as a criminal named ray biddle, who despises africanamericans. Luther brooks, who is terrorized by a racist psychopath widmark. No way out is a 1950 american film noir directed by joseph l. Brooks to be accepted by the audience of 1950, he had to be more than.
Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally and sidney poitier, who portrays a doctor tending to slum residents whose ethics are tested when confronted with racism, personified by richard widmark as the hateful robber ray biddle. No way out 1950 richard widmark, sidney poitier youtube. Mankiewicz and lesser samuels were also nominated for best. The picture also marked the screen debut of ossie davis 19172005, and was the first film in which davis appeared with his wife, ruby dee. Its a pretty bold thing for a movie in 1950 to show the righteous anger of the black man.
His test scores were all as, because well, they had to be. Poitiers first and best film, no way out is also one of the most honest films dealing with racial conflict. Mar 11, 20 no way out was considered too provocative a film in 1950, but it paved the way to other liberal films out of hollywood, not to mention the fact that it launched a spectacular career for the talented and handsome poitier, who in a few years would win an oscar and become the most popular movie star white or black in american cinema. He is purposefully written as not merely a good doctor, but an excellent one. Nov, 2015 no way out 1950 posted on november, 2015 by 4starfilmfan i had a preconceived notion that no way out might be the kind of social drama that was groundbreaking for its day and by todays standards looks mundane and quaint. No way out 1950 posted on november, 2015 by 4starfilmfan i had a preconceived notion that no way out might be the kind of social drama that was groundbreaking for its day and by todays standards looks mundane and quaint. Passed 1h 46min crime, drama, filmnoir september 1950 usa. Starring black actors it was also ossie daviss first film and filmed at the very cusp of the civil rights movement, only 10 years after hattie mcdaniel became the first africanamerican actor to win an oscar, no way out was a leap ahead of the mainstream film industry in its headon tackling of racial prejudice. No way out 1950, usa richard widmark, linda darnell. He does a great job, but widmark has said it was the most uncomfortable role he ever played. To my mind it never gets to the root causes of institutionalized racism. No way out is a 1950 film noir directed by joseph l. Howard duff, george dzundza, jason bernard, fred thompson, and iman appear in supporting roles.
This taut, nailbiting noir was one of the first hollywood features to confront the reality of antiblack racism in america. Richard widmark, sidney poitier, linda darnell, stephen mcnally, mildred joanne smith and harry bellavera black doctor is assigned to treat two racist white, robbery suspects who are brothers, and when. No way outrichard widmark and sidney poitier on a lobby card for no way out 1950, directed by joseph l. Nominated for the 1950 oscar for best writing, story and screenplay, this intense drama about racial hatred pulls no punches. Mankiewicz, with richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally, at turner classic movies. No way out is really a film noir, but it was done in 1959 i think, really past the era of film noir. Notable as the film acting debut of the young sidney poitier and for taking on race and class issues that were highly sensitive for us audiences at the time, no way out retains much of its dramatic power today. No way out 1950 is a blackandwhite film noir directed by joseph l. Brooks, hired by the police hospital as part of an overall program to integrate the staff, keeps his temper in check as ray spouts his. To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our flixster. The movie has a gripping plot, but the best part of the film is the acting. Its a taut little noir with well drawn characters brought to life by some of the outstanding talents of the era, and its depiction of internecine strife at the heart of america is no less. This film is a story about two racist brothers that get sent to prison.
Lefty and his fellows dont even appear to get arrested for their assault on the beaver canal gang. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The biddle brothers, shot while robbing a gas station, are taken to the prison ward of the county hospital. No way out is one of those good movies that gets better the more you think about it. The violence of its climax is a bit too wildeyed to sustain full belief in its sober message, but in other respects this is one of the best and certainly the most plainspoken of the films. That said, despite moments of searing truths, the film only treats its subject matter superficially. Mildred joanne smith, who portrayed sidney poitiers wife in his film debut, the 1950 drama no way out, and then saw her career upended when she was severely injured in a. Brooks to be accepted by the audience of 1950, he had to be more than good. Shes worked on some of my all time favorite films including this film, gouldings nightmare alley, joseph l.
Poitier, in an auspicious and compelling screen debut, stars as the idealistic dr. No way out borrows the template for socially conscious filmmaking from both gentlemens agreement. Mankiewicz still packs a wallop, believe it or not. Mankiewicz, richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally, crime, drama, film noir, thriller july 7, 2017 the biddle brothers, shot while robbing a gas station, are taken to the prison ward of the county hospital. Brooks, hired by the police hospital as part of an overall program to integrate the staff, keeps his temper in check as ray. Mankiewicz with richard widmark, sidney poitier, linda darnell, stephen mcnally, year. No way out marked the feature film debuts of sidney poitier and actress mildred joanne smith. Richard widmark, linda darnell, sidney poitier certificate. No way out is a 1987 american neonoir political thriller film directed by roger donaldson and starring kevin costner, gene hackman, will patton and sean young. In his engaging dvd commentary for the movie, film historian eddie muller provides numerous insights into the making of the film, as well as its reception which, not surprisingly, didnt do well in small. Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen.
Sidney poitier and richard widmark no way out 1950 youtube. The picture also marked the screen debut of ossie davis 19172005, and was the first film in. Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally and sidney poitier. There is no way that no way out qualifies as dark cinema, however, it still rates as a very good movie. No way out, american film noir, released in 1950, that was among the first movies to deal directly with racism. Mankiewiczs 1950 film about racial bigotry, is a most entertaining, twisty melodrama about the abuses of power, trust, friendship and women. No way out marked the feature film debut of sidney poitier, who, according to studio publicity, had earlier appeared in three signal corps short films.
As edie johnson caught in the crossfire of racism, shes got a lot of guts to rise above the chaos and come out kicking. Luther brooks sidney poitier is a new doctor tasked with working in the prison ward. Bigots ray biddle richard widmark and his brother johnny. Mankiewicz, and show casing sidney poitiers first feature film. Controversial when released, some of the drama seems forced at times but the story still entertains. Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally and sidney poitier, who portrays a doctor tending to slum residents whose ethics are tested when confronted with racism, personified by richard widmark as the hateful robber ray biddle no way out marked the feature film. No way out has to be applauded for tackling the subject of racial tension at a time when it probably wasnt fashionable or commercially viable.
Mankiewicz, and starring richard widmark, linda darnell, stephen mcnally and sidney poitier, who portrays a doctor tending to slum residents. No way out 1950 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. With sidney poitier, richard widmark, linda darnell. Ruby dee will be the special guest at a screening of no way out 1950, part of the academy of motion picture arts and sciences monday nights with oscar series on september 21 at 7 p. Sidney poitier in his screen debut is the black doctor. No way out is a 1950 blackandwhite american film noir directed by joseph l. No way out is tough but essential viewing, and deserves wider recognition, especially as its sordid truths continue to play out today. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing no way out 1950 near you. Mankiewiczs no way out 1950, henry kings the song of bernadette 1943, robert wises the desert rats 1953, john fords tobacco road 1941 and again mankiewiczs all about eve 1950. The film is based on the 1946 novel the big clock by kenneth fearing. Sidney poitier in his screen debut is the black doctor, luther brooks, assigned to take care of the wounded ray.
No way out was considered too provocative a film in 1950, but it paved the way to other liberal films out of hollywood, not to mention the fact that it launched a spectacular career for the talented and handsome poitier, who in a few years would win an oscar and become the most popular movie star white or black in american cinema. Ray biddle, a rabid racist, wants no treatment from black resident dr. No way out is anxietyinducing, the subject matter entirely infuriating, and the film overall a really worthy landmark in hollywood history, despite some muddled aspects that can only be attributed to a white writerdirector. No way out 1950, usa richard widmark, linda darnell, sidney. May 06, 2016 no way out is a 1950 film noir directed by joseph l. Richard widmark linda darnell stephen mcnally sidney poitier. Robbers ray biddle richard widmark and his brother are shot and taken to the local hospital.