I Walk Alone [Blu-ray]

Director: Byron Haskin Byron Haskin

Overview

On the run from the cops, bootleggers Frankie Madison (Burt Lancaster) and Noll Turner (Kirk Douglas), find themselves racing up to an enormous roadblock. The two split up, agreeing that if one was caught, the other would operate their nightclub and save half the profits for his partner. The unlucky Madison is caught and when released from prison 14 years later, he returns to claim his money. Turner, never intending to split the money, tries to distract Madison by offering him the affections of his girlfriend Kay (Lizabeth Scott). Madison's brother Dave (Wendell Corey), Turner's accountant, help's Turner by doctoring the books to hide the lucrative profits of the club. Madison is enraged that he has been swindled by his friend and his brother, and Dave finally helps Madison get his revenge and Kay's love. Byron Haskin, in his directorial debut, brings a post-war idealism into the ordinarily cynical noir sensibility. Wendell Corey is particularly fine as Madison's cowardly brother, who manages to redeem himself, and Lizabeth Scott is touching as the vulnerable, romantic Kay.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/24/2018
UPC:	0738329231224
Original Release:	1947
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	17,482

Special Features

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth; KLSC Trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Burt Lancaster	Frankie Madison
Lizabeth Scott	Kay Lawrence
Kirk Douglas	Noll 'Dink' Turner
Wendell Corey	Dave
Kristine Miller	Mrs. Richardson
Jorge Rigaud	Maurice
Marc Lawrence	Nick Palestro
Mike Mazurki	Dan
Mickey Knox	Skinner
Roger Neury	Felix
John Bishop	Ben the Bartender
Bruce Lester	Charles
Jean Del Val	Henri the Chef
Gino Corrado	George the Assistant Chef
Freddie Steele	Tiger
Jim Davies	Masseur
Dewey Robinson	Heinz
Fred Somers	Butcher
Bruce Lister	Charles
Charles D. Brown	Lt. Hollaran
Wally Merrill	Schreiber,Schreiber
Bobby Barber	Newsboy
Jack Perrin	Policeman
Bert Moorhouse	Toll Gate Policeman
Olin Howlin	Watchman
James Davies	Masseur

Technical Credits

John Bright

Robert Smith

Byron Haskin	Director
Hal B. Wallis	Producer
John Bright	Screenwriter
Robert Smith	Screenwriter
Walter Oberst	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

I Walk Alone is not top-notch film noir, but there are enough positives to the film to more than offset its negatives. The biggest problem is, of course, the screenplay. While it has some interesting turns (such as one gangster cheating the other by simple bookkeeping fraud), it sometimes strains credulity (would Madison really believe Turner would do right by him?). The plotting is busy, but not as inventive as necessary and, worse, the dialogue -- an immensely important ingredient in a successful noir stew -- disappoints. Fortunately, Walk has two dependably muscular performances from its male stars, with Kirk Douglas' icy sophistication playing delightfully off of Burt Lancaster's earthy integrity. Even better is Lizabeth Scott, adding a believable note of warmth and sensuality, andWendell Corey, whose cowardly brother walks away with several scenes. Byron Haskin's direction is occasionally at odds with the material; he's trying to add heft and dimension to it, and if he only half succeeds, at least he's trying something different. Better is Leo Tovar's cinematography, with stark, high-contrast lighting effects and a variety of dramatic angles used to good effect.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler