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Pickup on South Street (1953)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 7/14

PupS
7/14: Imagine the shudder I let out when I saw Samuel Fuller's name attached to Pickup on South Street before going ahead with it.

My apprehension is due to the horrible experience of having seen his two ultra-tacky films: Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss. Afterwards, my fears had been somewhat realized. Therefore, it's safe to think of Pickup on South Street a light-tacky film noir.

There are several good moments, but many have been eye-rolling for what's a thankfully 80-minute picture. The camera work is fantastic, and I like how the zoom shot is effectively used at appropriate times.

Although Richard Widmark appears, I can't seem to shake off his Tommy Udo persona. There's too much familiarity going on here. On the other hand, Thelma Ritter gives a hammy, unbelievable portrayal of a know-it-all informant. It's almost as if that's what she did for a living during her acting career.

Jean Peters is wonderful, and she and Richard Widmark are sexy together and have great chemistry. After punching the female's lights out at the boathouse, he erotically massages her cheek afterwards to place their status among the hottest movie duos.

All in all, despite the steamy scenes between Richard Widmark and Jean Peters, Pickup on South Street is silly.