Born to Kill (Lady of Deceit) (1947)

71% of users liked it
(572 ratings)

Somehow the titles of the films of hardcase actor Lawrence Tierney seemed to be extensions of the man's personality, as witness such films as The Devil Thumbs a Ride and Born to Kill. In the latter picture, Tierney starts the ball rolling by committing a double murder in a jealous pique. Claire… More Somehow the titles of the films of hardcase actor Lawrence Tierney seemed to be extensions of the man's personality, as witness such films as The Devil Thumbs a Ride and Born to Kill. In the latter picture, Tierney starts the ball rolling by committing a double murder in a jealous pique. Claire Trevor discovers the bodies, but says nothing to the police; she's leaving town and doesn't want to be impeded. Trevor and Tierney meet and fall in love on the train to San Francisco. Unfortunately, Trevor is married, so Tierney shifts his affections to her sister, Audrey Long (later the wife of director Billy Wilder). He marries Long, though he keeps up his illicit affair with Trevor. When detectives investigating the murders come snooping, they are bought off by Tierney's pal Elisha Cook Jr.--who is then murdered by Tierney, who suspects that Cook is carrying on with Trevor (Cook seldom survived to the end of any of his films). When Tierney finally does face arrest, it's at the instigation of the jealous Trevor, who is shot full of holes for her trouble. Born to Kill was based on James Gunn's novel Deadlier Than the Male. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1947 Wide
On DVD: Jul 5, 2005

Critic Reviews

Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Competent if slightly too tame for a supposedly sleazy story.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
The usually meek Robert Wise trades his chameleonic tastefulness for full-on, jazzy misanthropy in this nasty melodrama.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Hard to watch, but effective and alluring nonetheless.
James Plath, Reel.com
The most charismatic moments actually come from veteran screen 'heavy' Walter Slezak, whose performance as a private detective merited more screen time.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A revolting B film noir...

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Another good film noir, with a very interesting story of murder and romance. Good acting, good story, it's good.
Randy T

Finally, a noir film where the title actually makes sense! Classic psychopath meets girl love story. If you can find it on DVD be sure to check out the commentary from author and noir expert Eddie Muller. Muller's insight into the character and personality of Lawrence Tierney… More
Finally, a noir film where the title actually makes sense! Classic psychopath meets girl love story. If you can find it on DVD be sure to check out the commentary from author and noir expert Eddie Muller. Muller's insight into the character and personality of Lawrence Tierney is priceless. It wasn't so long ago that I couldn't even tell you who Robert Wise was. Now I find myself, like a sponge, wanting to soak up every film he ever directed. If I come across one I dislike I'll let you know.
Stella D

two ambitious psychopaths hook up and all hell breaks loose. claire trevor is awesome as the soulless manipulator who destroys everyone around her to be near laurence tierney's brutal thug
Michael G

Lawrence Tierney is superb as the overly-confident pit bull alpha dog sociopath who draws the same rotten qualities out of Claire Trevor who gives an equally jarring performance. Robert Wise's direction is also great as he directs one of the most grisly murders during the golden… More
Lawrence Tierney is superb as the overly-confident pit bull alpha dog sociopath who draws the same rotten qualities out of Claire Trevor who gives an equally jarring performance. Robert Wise's direction is also great as he directs one of the most grisly murders during the golden age of Hollywood. Slezak is great as the private dick and Esther Howard is nothing short of grotesque as his alcoholic client.
Ken S

What happens when sociopaths fall in love
Veronique K

a story enhanced by murder and deceit. and the best thing in this movie shall be claire trevor's performance as the ambitious, complicated seductress who is in eternal struggle between the crave of peace and security and the longing for strength, excitement and corruptness.… More
a story enhanced by murder and deceit. and the best thing in this movie shall be claire trevor's performance as the ambitious, complicated seductress who is in eternal struggle between the crave of peace and security and the longing for strength, excitement and corruptness. naturally this ambivalence is anchored by her choices of men: the rich loyal fred and the shrewd ferocious sam(lawrence tierney). besides the warobe of miss trevor in this movie is dynamically femme fatale to delineate the iceberg women with the coldest surface and rottenest inside. one of the pleasure for the film noir aficinados is the savor of its dialogues of cynical wisecrackers which reflects the simmering irony of life. and this one shall have one of the best scripts. for example. "life is coffee, the aroma is always better than its actuality"....besides it's also the best chance to take a glance over the young lawrence tierney (one of the coolest original tough guys)whose youthful dashing looks matches his razor-sharp toughness.
Anthony V

Another example of great 40's Film Noir.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Lawrence Tierney as Sam Wild

            Claire Trevor as Helen Trent

            Walter Slezak as Arnold Amett

            Phillip Terry as Fred Grover

            Audrey Long as Georgia Staples

            Elisha Cook Jr. as Marty Waterman

            Isabel Jewell as Laury Palmer

            Esther Howard as Mrs. Kraft

            Kathryn Card as Grace

            Tony Barrett as Danny

            Grandon Rhodes as Inspector Wilson

            Demetrius Alexis as Maitre d'Hotel

            Ellen Corby as 2nd Maid

            Sayre Dearing as Crap Dealer

            Jean Fenwick as Margaret Macy

            Lee Frederick as Desk Clerk

            Ben Frommer as Delivery Boy

            Martha Hyer as Maid

            Perc Launders as Detective Bryson

            Sam Lufkin as Crap Dealer

            Beatrice Maude as Cook

            Al Murphy as Cab Driver

            Netta Packer as Mrs Perth

            Jason Robards Sr. as Conductor

            Philip Warren as Chauffeur

            Napoleon Whiting as Porter

            Tommy Noonan as Bellboy

            Sammy Shack as Crap Dealer

            Ruth Brennan as Sally
See full cast