One of my favorite film noirs with outstanding performances and dialogue from the entire cast. In particular, Ritter shines in this one as Moe Williams the tie-selling wheeler-dealer informant who’s got her heart set on a proper gravestone out on Long Island. Ritter is brilliant with her quicksilver one-liners and her poignant lovable puss.
Directed by Samuel Fuller who reins in his gritty vision a bit and plays off more of the interrelationships between the small time crooks, added with a bit of anti-communist sentiment of that period thrown in.
Starring Richard Widmark, Jean Peters who is adorable as Candy in this role, Thelma Ritter, and Willis Bouchey as detective Zara, Richard Kiley, Murvyn Vye. Shelley Winters was the first choice for the role of Candy, but she dropped out. Then the role was offered to Betty Grable. That did not pan out. Jean Peters did a wonderful job as Candy. With a dynamic music score by Leigh Harline with cinematography by veteran Joe MacDonald.
On a crowded subway, Skip McCoy prince of the cannons, pickpockets Candy’s purse. He nabs her wallet, inadvertently stealing a roll of microfilm containing top secret military and scientific plans that her boyfriend Joey (Richard Kiley– who tells her it’s just a patent for a formula) is really going to pass along to Communist agents.
Candy learns where Skip lives and that he has lifted the wallet from Moe Williams (Thelma Ritter), a police informer. Joey begs Candy to track Skip down at his shack on the water and she attempts and seduces Skip McCoy to recover the film. She fails to get the film back but does however fall in love with him.
Moe Williams – (about Skip) “He’s as shifty as smoke, but I love him.”
Capt. Dan Tiger – “You sold him out for a few bucks.”
Moe Williams – “Oh, look. Some people peddle apples, lamb chops, and lumber. I peddle information. Skip ain’t sore, he understands.
Moe Williams: You got any Happy Money?
Candy: Happy Money?
Moe Williams: Yeah, money that’s gonna make me happy.
Moe Williams: I’ve got almost enough to buy both the stone and the plot.
Capt. Dan Tiger: If you lost that kitty, it’s Potter’s Field.
Moe Williams: This I do not think is a very funny joke, Captain Tiger!
Capt. Dan Tiger: I just meant you ought to be careful how you carry your bankroll.
Moe Williams: Look, Tiger, if I was to be buried in Potter’s Field, it would just about kill me.
Skip McCoy: Pack up the pitch with the charge or drive me back to my shack.
Capt. Dan Tiger: I’ll drive you back in a hearse if you don’t get the kink out of your mouth!
This is your EverLovin’ Joey sayin’ I haven’t forgotten my Coded Gay Characters article,
Moe Williams: You got any Happy Money?
Candy: Happy Money?
Moe Williams: Yeah, money that’s gonna make me happy.
Moe Williams: I’ve got almost enough to buy both the stone and the plot.
my concussion really set me back in my writing but I’m trying to catch up and I’ve got a few surprises in my bag if some smooth-operating cannon don’t come by and pickpocket me while I’m on the train headed to the South Side next week!
Thanks for being patient. And say… Can anyone suggest a logo for my helmet?