Born To Kill

Directed by	Robert Wise
Written by	James Gunn (novel), Eve Greene, Richard Macaulay
Starring	Claire Trevor, Lawrence Tierney, Walter Slezak, Phillip Terry, Audrey Long, Elisha Cook Jr.
Produced by	Herman Schlom
Distributed by	RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Release date	May 3, 1947 (US premiere)
Runtime	92 min
Language	English
Budget
IMDb page

This 1947 black and white film was the first film noir directed by Robert Wise, who would also directed The Set-Up (1949), The Captive City (1952), and Odds Against Tomorrow (1959). The working title for Born To Kill was Deadlier than the Male (from the pulp novel by James Gunn). Many of the scenes in San Francisco feature the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the background. Director Wise was disappointed that RKO changed the name of the film from Deadlier than the Male which he felt helped described the film better. This was Tierney's first "A" picture, but because of his dangerous and volatile reputation, he never made another big film as a movie lead. Image File history File links Born To Kill (1947) This is a copyrighted poster. ... Robert Wise (born September 10, 1914) is an Academy Award winning film producer and director. ... Claire Trevor in Raw Deal (1948) // Claire Trevor (1909-2000) Nicknamed Queen of Film Noir because of her many appearances in bad girl” roles in film noir and other black-and-white thrillers, Claire Trevor appeared in over 60 films. ... Lawrence Tierney in Born to Kill (1947) Lawrence Tierney was a veteran actor and B-movie leading man. ... Walter Slezak (May 3, 1902 - April 21, 1983) was an Austrian actor. ... Phillip Terry (March 7, 1909 - February 23, 1993) was an American actor. ... Audrey Long (born April 14, 1922 in Orlando, Florida) was a movie actress who specialized in playing blonde bland, good girls in movies of the 1940s and 50s. ... Diminutive character actor Elisha Cook Jr. ... The classic logo of RKO Radio Pictures. ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article is about the term as used in media and computing; for more specific uses, see Black and White. ... Film noir is a film style and mood primarily associated with crime films, that portrays its principal characters in a nihilism and existential world. ... Robert Wise (born September 10, 1914) is an Academy Award winning film producer and director. ... Categories: Disambiguation | Stub | 1949 films | 1978 films | 1995 films ... Harry Belafonte starred in and produced Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), the first film noir with a black protagonist. ... This article is about the city in California. ... The Bay Bridge, with the skyline of San Francisco in the background. ... The classic logo of RKO Radio Pictures. ...

Plot

Helen Brent (Claire Trevor) has just received a Reno divorce. That night, she discovers one of her neighbors, Laury Palmer, and a gentleman caller murdered in their home. The killer is her neighbor's other boyfriend, who won't abide anyone "cutting in" on him. The killer is Sam Wilde (Lawrence Tierney), a man who is insanely jealous. Helen discovers the bodies, but says nothing to the police; she's leaving town and doesn't want to be impeded. She meets Sam on the train and the fall in love. She is attracted to his self confidence and his brutality, but she won't marry him. She's in it for the money, just like Sam, and she doesn't want to give up her rich boyfriend. Helen's sister (Audrey Long) is rich, too, and soon, Sam shifts his affections to her. Meanwhile, Sam and Helen continue their affair. Back in Reno, the owner of the boarding house where Helen lived has hired a detective to find out who killed Laury. The detective follows Sam's friend, Marty (Elisha Cook Jr.), to San Francisco, and soon begins to make blackmailing overtures to Helen. Marty finds out who hired the detective and attempts to kill her, but Sam thinks he's trying to cut in on his action and kills him. Helen's rich boyfriend begins to see through her shell and breaks it off. Sam and Helen face off in a fatal confrontation as their schemes begin unravelling. Walter Slezak portrays the verse-quoting shamus. Claire Trevor in Raw Deal (1948) // Claire Trevor (1909-2000) Nicknamed Queen of Film Noir because of her many appearances in bad girl” roles in film noir and other black-and-white thrillers, Claire Trevor appeared in over 60 films. ... Lawrence Tierney in Born to Kill (1947) Lawrence Tierney was a veteran actor and B-movie leading man. ... Audrey Long (born April 14, 1922 in Orlando, Florida) was a movie actress who specialized in playing blonde bland, good girls in movies of the 1940s and 50s. ... Diminutive character actor Elisha Cook Jr. ... Walter Slezak (May 3, 1902 - April 21, 1983) was an Austrian actor. ...

Quote

As you grow older, you'll discover that life is very much like coffee - the aroma is always better than the actuality. Arnet (Slezak)