Fuller turned down many actresses for the lead role including studio favorites Marilyn Monroe; Shelley Winters; Ava Gardner, who looked too glamorous; Betty Grable, who wanted a dance number written in; and initially Jean Peters, whom he did not like when he saw film of her in Captain from Castile. With only a week to go before the film started production, Fuller saw Peters walk into the studio's commissary while having lunch. Fuller noticed Peters walked with a slightly bow-legged style that many prostitutes also had. Fuller was impressed with Peters' intelligence, spunkiness, and different roles at the studio when he tested her the Friday before shooting started on the Monday. When Betty Grable insisted on being in the film and threatened to cause problems, Fuller promised to walk off the film. Peters was restored
Good movie. Ive got a small stack of other films of his I need to watch.
Brought back memories. Around the same time my grand father and his friend were taking me to a Yankee game. We boarded the A train at 59th street, I think. Next stop was 125th. Once on board, my grand dads buddy realized his coat pocket had been picked (yes men wore jackets to the games). The 59th to 125th run was long so it was impossible to get off and call the police to apprehend the bum. The train in this movie was the AA which I believe was the 8th ave local so it would have have gone as far till the next station stop.
He had very nimble fingers.
She had very hungry eyes.
She was almost as attractive as Hedy Lammar, the Gold Standard of Classic Hollywood glamour.
Great noir. Thelma Ritter is great in a supporting part (and the bad guys are commies!). I always thought Jean Peters should have been a bigger star.
One of our favorites.
Others include:
Out of the Past
Cornered
Cry Danger
Ministry of Fear
Thelma Ritter is killed...
Good clip. Thanks.