Kiss Me Deadly

This is a beta version of NNDB

Kiss Me Deadly (18-May-1955)

Writer: A. I. Bezzerides

Name Occupation Birth Death Known for

Albert Dekker Actor 20-Dec-1905 5-May-1968 The Wild Bunch

Jack Elam Actor 13-Nov-1918 20-Oct-2003 The Sundowners

Jack Lambert Actor 13-Apr-1920 18-Feb-2002 Riverboat

Cloris Leachman Actor 30-Apr-1926 Phyllis and The Facts of Life

Strother Martin Actor 26-Mar-1919 1-Aug-1980 Cool Hand Luke

Ralph Meeker Actor 21-Nov-1920 5-Aug-1988 Kiss Me Deadly

REVIEWS

Review by anonymous (posted on 5-Apr-2006)

Up and coming director, Robert Aldridge, joined many other talented crew and players of his time, who were given the opportunity to hone their skills and catch the eye with the dying "B" films of quality in the postwar decades, 40s and 50s. The budgets were of course smaller than main stream "A" cinema and the stars lesser names, but these films were still vastly superior to TV dramas that were forcing the end of full supporting programs in theatres, and with it the end of the "B" picture. The intelligence and skill of all involved often elevated these productions into films of first rank, to be appreciated by posterity and become "cult" films for archivists and dedicated movie fans alike. Aldridge's "Kiss Me Deadly" was one such film, along with others such as Don Seagal's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and Robert Wise's "The Set Up", all dark films with gloomy lighting and atmospheres that acquired the French genre name "film noire". "Kiss Me Deadly" is noticeable for several outstanding qualities - i)A very imaginative story adapted from Mickey Spillane's cold war thriller, ii) the best no-frills, no pretensions, interpretation of a tough private eye (Mike Hammer) ever to grace the silver screen with Ralph Meeker's performance outstanding, and iii) an truely thrillingly conceived and directed climax. Moreover the mastermind villain played by the elegant Albert Dekker only shows himself before the camera in the final climactic sequence, adding further spice to the mounting mystery. A bevy of actresses do a good job as sirens and scheming men manipulators, and the whole package holds seamlessly and suspensefully together. Although Aldridge went on to bigger things, sadly Meeker, an actor of merit was confined to smaller supporting roles in his subsequent career such as in "Paths of Glory" and "The Naked Spur". Dekker, a charactor actor of dependable quality ("Suddenly Last Summer") committed suicide in mid-career denying us further examples of his considerable talent. My Verdict - A collectors item that can be viewed repeatedly.

Have you seen this film? We would love to see your review.
Submit your review for this film

Locate a copy of this film here.

Do you know something we don't?
Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile