The Prowler (Cost of Living ) (1951)

100% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(182 ratings)

Webb Garwood (Van Heflin) is a cynical policeman who believes that success comes from lucky breaks. Responding to a prowler complaint at the home of Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes), he is immediately attracted to her and her wealth. He returns to "check up" on Susan, and they begin an affair, conducted… More Webb Garwood (Van Heflin) is a cynical policeman who believes that success comes from lucky breaks. Responding to a prowler complaint at the home of Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes), he is immediately attracted to her and her wealth. He returns to "check up" on Susan, and they begin an affair, conducted while listening to her husband John (Sherry Hall)'s all-night radio program. Feeling guilty, Susan ends the relationship, but Garwood remains obsessed. He pretends to be a prowler on the Gilvray property so he can respond to another police call. Drawing William outside, he shoots him and makes it appear accidental. When Garwood manipulates Susan's confusion about the shooting, she buys his story, and the lovers marry. However, upon discovering that Susan is pregnant "too soon," they flee to give birth in secret, but eventually Susan learns the devastating truth. ~ Steve Press, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Joseph Losey
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 3, 1951 Wide
On DVD: Feb 1, 2011

Critic Reviews

J. Hoberman, Village Voice
The Prowler may be the creepiest of classic noirs.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This hallucinatory film noir is still, for me, Joseph Losey's best film.
Variety Staff, Variety
A bawdy, daring story.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Losey's magnificently ruthless dismantling of his characters' veneers and delusions and self-made traps
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
The rectangle-within-a-rectangle symmetry of the window within the frame of the movie screen in the opening scene reinforces the notion that the filmgoer is essentially a licensed Peeping Tom...
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A down and dirty masterpiece.
Tom McCormack, Slant Magazine
Murder, in The Prowler, is the continuation of sex by other means.
Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... a classic of working class envy, restless resentment... and the brutal opportunism of a former golden boy willing to do anything to get what he's sure is due him.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
By comparison, old-fashioned murder seems almost commonplace. (Restored DVD Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Director Losey and screenwriter Trumbo aren't providing the usual mystery tale here.
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
a ferociously perverse noir masterpiece
Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York
The way Heflin plays this rake, you never think for a second that he'd be cowed by a guilty conscience. He's a defiantly charismatic brute who turns, unconvincingly, into a wet noodle.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A scary, fascinating film.
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
Losey's script is fine, but doesn't really draw the audience in, or inspire compassion for any of the characters.
Tom Milne, Time Out
Losey rises magnificently to the occasion in his use of the Mojave Desert ghost town location.
, Film4
A powerful thriller from Losey before he fell foul of Hollywood's infamous blacklist.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A neat noir thriller.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stefanie C

This is why Losey is one of my favorite directors.
Walter M

In "The Prowler," police officers Webb Garwood(Van Heflin) and Bud Crocker(John Maxwell) respond to a call about a prowler that has been menacing Susan Gilvray(Evelyn Keyes). After being satisfied that she is safe, they leave. Later that night, Webb returns and the two… More
In "The Prowler," police officers Webb Garwood(Van Heflin) and Bud Crocker(John Maxwell) respond to a call about a prowler that has been menacing Susan Gilvray(Evelyn Keyes). After being satisfied that she is safe, they leave. Later that night, Webb returns and the two find a common ground in both being from the same part of Indiana where he was a high school basketball star. Susan came west to become an actress but eventually married John Gilvray(Sherry Hall) who hosts a late night radio show, keeping her company on her sleepless nights. At first, she is resistant to Webb's rough charms but eventually agrees to meet him in Las Vegas. Director by Joseph Losey, "The Prowler" is a nifty noir film that is ahead of its time in its brief pre-credits sequence and in insinuating life beyond twin beds. In shifting gears from night to day, the movie is about two amongst many who come to Los Angeles to live a dream and end up having it unfulfilled, staying on to live a modest life. For Susan, it is life in a loveless marriage to an older man. The film looks down on Webb for hating being a policeman(This is a job you would have to love with all of its attendant hardships including long hours, low pay and the constant threat of violence.) which is a profession that provides a public service. He has larger dreams like owning his own motel on the way to Las Vegas. Like all plans, it all comes down to the details.
cody f

Good Noir about a cop abusing his power to get what he wants. Good story and probably one of the first to deal with the "Unlawful Entry" plot that we have seen annually for the last 20 years. The story is at a good pace and very believable. It has a modern view on… More
Good Noir about a cop abusing his power to get what he wants. Good story and probably one of the first to deal with the "Unlawful Entry" plot that we have seen annually for the last 20 years. The story is at a good pace and very believable. It has a modern view on basketball, unhappiness with your career, and pre-marital sex. Van Heflin is great and his character is very realistic, he is bad, but not cartoonish. He does everything for love, he just approaches it all wrong. The very end is a little melodramatic, but overall a solid film. Not great, but worth a watch if you can find it.