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Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

Crime · Thriller · 1947

An ex-con trying to go straight must face a crazed criminal out for revenge.

Movie details

Kiss of Death

“From her lips there is no escape!”

1947 Crime · Thriller 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

An ex-con trying to go straight must face a crazed criminal out for revenge.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Kiss of Death?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Crime Wave

Crime Wave

Crime · 1953

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.

He Ran All the Way

He Ran All the Way

Thriller · 1951

A crook on the run hides out in an innocent girl's apartment.

The Killer Is Loose

The Killer Is Loose

Crime · 1956

A savings-and-loan bank is robbed; later, a police wiretap identifies meek bank teller Leon Poole as the inside man. In capturing him, detective Sam Wagner accidentally kills Poole's young wife, and at his trial Poole swears vengeance against Wagner. Poole begins his plans to get revenge when he escapes his captors.

The Italian Job

The Italian Job

Crime · 1969

Charlie's got a 'job' to do. Having just left prison he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Torino, Italy, right under the nose of the mafia. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the 'job'. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal a fortune in gold and escape in the chaos.

Killer's Kiss

Killer's Kiss

Thriller · 1955

Davey Gordon, a New York City boxer at the end of his career, falls for dancer Gloria Price. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo, who has eyes for Gloria. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows.

House of Strangers

House of Strangers

Drama · 1949

Ruthless Italian-American banker Gino Monetti is engaged in a number of criminal activities. Three of his four grown sons refuse to help their father stay out of prison after he's arrested for his questionable business practices. Three of them take over the business but kick their father out. Max, a lawyer, is the only son that remains loyal.

Brute Force

Brute Force

Crime · 1947

Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?

Now You See Me 2

Now You See Me 2

Crime · 2016

One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their mind-bending spectacles, the Four Horsemen resurface only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

Drama · 1932

A World War I veteran’s dreams of becoming a master architect evaporate in the cold light of economic realities. Things get even worse when he’s falsely convicted of a crime and sent to work on a chain gang.

Scarlet Street

Scarlet Street

Drama · 1945

Cashier and part-time starving artist Christopher Cross is absolutely smitten with the beautiful Kitty March. Kitty plays along, but she's really only interested in Johnny, a two-bit crook. When Kitty and Johnny find out that art dealers are interested in Chris's work, they con him into letting Kitty take credit for the paintings. Cross allows it because he is in love with Kitty, but his love will only let her get away with so much.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Henry Hathaway

Written by

Ben Hecht · Charles Lederer · Eleazar Lipsky

Victor Mature

Victor Mature

Nick Bianco

Brian Donlevy

Brian Donlevy

Assistant D.A. Louis D'Angelo

Coleen Gray

Coleen Gray

Nettie Cavallo

Richard Widmark

Richard Widmark

Tommy Udo

Taylor Holmes

Taylor Holmes

Earl Howser

Howard Smith

Howard Smith

Warden

Karl Malden

Karl Malden

Sgt. William Cullen

Court is in session

Put Kiss of Death on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.