Desperate (1947)

65% of users liked it
(193 ratings)

With 1947's Desperate, a disturbing, noirish twist on traditional moral values, responsibility, and guilt, director Anthony Mann entered the ranks of class-A directors, though he'd still have to spend a few more years in "B" pictures. In his first important role, Steve Brodie plays newlywed trucker… More With 1947's Desperate, a disturbing, noirish twist on traditional moral values, responsibility, and guilt, director Anthony Mann entered the ranks of class-A directors, though he'd still have to spend a few more years in "B" pictures. In his first important role, Steve Brodie plays newlywed trucker Steve Randall, who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time during a fur robbery. Kidnapping Steve, the criminals, led by Walt Radak (Raymond Burr), threaten to mutilate Mrs. Randall (Audrey Long) unless Steve confesses to a murder committed by Radak's brother during the theft. Pretending to play along with the villains, Steve manages to escape with his wife in tow. The rest of the film is a prolonged chase, with the Randalls pursued by both the crooks and the cops. A surprise ending caps this film noir mini-classic, which is best appreciated when not seen in its computer-colorized version. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: Anthony Mann
Written By: Dorothy Atlas, Harry Essex, Martin Rackin
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1947 Wide

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
[Has] Mann's sense of coiled violence, just waiting to unload.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
The story is standard urban crime stuff, but the director throws in a treasure trove of flourishes.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Nicely done crime thriller, with some great visual set pieces.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Anthony Mann is a master at directing these cheapie films and making them look stylish.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Desperate starts off as a hokey enough and paint-by-numbers film noir thriller about a good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. The story's straightforward and frankly, its not exactly something you haven't seen before. But what makes Desperate a bit better is director… More
Desperate starts off as a hokey enough and paint-by-numbers film noir thriller about a good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. The story's straightforward and frankly, its not exactly something you haven't seen before. But what makes Desperate a bit better is director Anthony Mann's direction and the way he takes a reasonably lukewarm story then builds and builds--right up to a fantastic stairway climax worthy of the Film Noir Hall of Fame. A must see for fans of Mann (especially when you see glimpses of what would later become some of the greatest westerns ever that he would later make), that final scene aside, not so much for fans of noir. Consider it a small part of a bigger potato chip at the bottom of the bag when you've already eaten all the greater ones--you don't necessarily regret taking it in but it won't be the one you remember the bag for...

Cast

            Steve Brodie as Steve Randall

            Audrey Long as Anne Randall

            Raymond Burr as Walt Radak

            Douglas Fowley as Pete

            William Challee as Reynolds

            Jason Robards Sr. as Ferrari

            Freddie Steele as Shorty

            Lee Frederick as Joe

            Paul E. Burns as Uncle Jan

            Ilka Gruning as Aunt Klara

            Ernie S. Adams as Villager

            Erville Alderson as Simon Pringle

            George Anderson as Man on Train

            William Norton Bailey as Traveling Salesman

            Jack Baxley as Dr. Wilson

            Robert Bray as Policeman

            Kay Christopher as Nurse

            Dick Elliott as Hat Lewis

            Charles Flynn as State Trooper

            Carol Forman as Mrs. Roberts

            Ralf Harolde as Doctor with Walt

            Hans Herbert as Rev. Alex

            Teddy Infur as Richard

            Carl Kent as Detective

            Donald Kerr as Vendor on Train

            Milt Kibbee as Mac

            Perc Launders as Manny

            Nan Leslie
            
            Art Miles as Truck Driver

            Jay Norris as Villager

            Larry Nunn as Al Radak

            Netta Packer as Woman on Train

            Eddie Parks as Mr. Franks

            Marshall Ruth as Traveling Salesman

            Carl Saxe as Policeman

            Michael Visaroff as Villager

            Robert Clarke as Bus Driver

            Frank O'Connor as Conductor

            Robert Peyton as Joe

            Joe Recht as Bellhop

            Elena Warren as Mrs. Oliver

            Bill Wallace as Policeman
See full cast