Based in part on a true story, Kiss of Death is given a veneer of reality by being filmed on location in New York, per the insistence of director Henry Hathaway..Victor Mature plays Nick Bianco, a cheap crook who commits a Christmastime jewelry store heist with his gang, and manages to get the rap while the others slip by the police unnoticed. Nick refuses to testify on the others, and gets sent up the river for 20 years for robbery. Before he goes to prison, he's assured by the criminal element that his wife and children will be taken care of while he's behind bars (thanks in no small part to his refusal to testify), but this is a blatant lie: during his incarceration, he learns that the family has gone broke, his wife committed suicide and his children have been sent to an orphanage. Furious, Nick summons district attorney Louie d'Angelo (Brian Donlevy) and makes an unusual deal: parole, in exchange for his willingness to squeal on the others. Louie expresses particularly strong interest in nabbing sadistic mob torpedo Tommy Udo (Richard Widmark, in his chilling screen debut), and helps secure Nick's release with the understanding that Nick will ingratiate himself with Tommy. This he does, spending inordinate amounts of time with the psychopath and earning the man's trust. Meanwhile, Nick also falls in love with Nettie (Colleen Gray), marries her, and regains custody of his two young daughters. The family moves to a small house together (with Nick living under an assumed name), but Louie realizes that his cover will soon be blown. To make matters even more complicated, Louie soon comes calling and pressures Nick into testifying against Tommy. Nick hesitates, given his concern that Tommy will come after him as soon as police surveillance lifts. Moreover, Tommy has a few nasty tricks of his own, however, and vows to make life as difficult as possible for Nick. This is the film in which Widmark's character gigglingly pushes a wheelchair-bound old lady down a flight of stairs. Reviewer James Agee said it best: "You feel that murder is the kindest thing he is capable of". The film made Widmark a star--and also convinced him to start lobbying immediately for good-guy roles so that he wouldn't be typecast as maniacal killers for life. Kiss of Death was remade as the 1958 western The Fiend Who Walked the West, then re-remade under its original title in 1994, with David Caruso in the Mature role and Nicolas Cage in the Widmark part, and the violence and nudity dramatically elevated to conform with the times. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide -- _entertainment_movies_seemoregenres

Based in part on a true story, Kiss of Death is given a veneer of reality by being filmed on location in New York, per the insistence of director Henry Hathaway..Victor Mature plays Nick Bianco, a cheap crook who commits a Christmastime jewelry store heist with his gang, and manages to get the rap while the others slip by the police unnoticed. Nick refuses to testify on the others, and gets sent up the river for 20 years for robbery. Before he goes to prison, he's assured by the criminal element that his wife and children will be taken care of while he's behind bars (thanks in no small part to his refusal to testify), but this is a blatant lie: during his incarceration, he learns that the family has gone broke, his wife committed suicide and his children have been sent to an orphanage. Furious, Nick summons district attorney Louie d'Angelo (Brian Donlevy) and makes an unusual deal: parole, in exchange for his willingness to squeal on the others. Louie expresses particularly strong interest in nabbing sadistic mob torpedo Tommy Udo (Richard Widmark, in his chilling screen debut), and helps secure Nick's release with the understanding that Nick will ingratiate himself with Tommy. This he does, spending inordinate amounts of time with the psychopath and earning the man's trust. Meanwhile, Nick also falls in love with Nettie (Colleen Gray), marries her, and regains custody of his two young daughters. The family moves to a small house together (with Nick living under an assumed name), but Louie realizes that his cover will soon be blown. To make matters even more complicated, Louie soon comes calling and pressures Nick into testifying against Tommy. Nick hesitates, given his concern that Tommy will come after him as soon as police surveillance lifts. Moreover, Tommy has a few nasty tricks of his own, however, and vows to make life as difficult as possible for Nick. This is the film in which Widmark's character gigglingly pushes a wheelchair-bound old lady down a flight of stairs. Reviewer James Agee said it best: You feel that murder is the kindest thing he is capable of. The film made Widmark a star--and also convinced him to start lobbying immediately for good-guy roles so that he wouldn't be typecast as maniacal killers for life. Kiss of Death was remade as the 1958 western The Fiend Who Walked the West, then re-remade under its original title in 1994, with David Caruso in the Mature role and Nicolas Cage in the Widmark part, and the violence and nudity dramatically elevated to conform with the times. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi (Books - Computers and Internet) -- Entertainment-Movies

Nick Bianco is a small-time crook who gets caught during a jewel heist. Despite some urging, he refuses to rat out the team, assuming they would take care of his family. When his wife commits suicide, he rats out his partners and one seeks revenge. *Artist: MATURE,VICTOR *Genre: Drama *Rating: NR *Release Date: 6-DEC-2005 -- Movies Music & Gaming > DVD Movies - Drama

5 out of 5 stars!   Kiss of Excellence 2010-05-17

KISS OF DEATH begins with a jewelry store robbery. The robbery takes place in a skyscraper, and the thieves must escape down the main elevators. That escape sequence has more tension in it than most suspense films do in their entirety. This is a wonderfully directed docu-noir film, shot on location by veteran director Henry Hathaway. The realistic tone, narrated by one of the female characters, is enhanced both by naturalistic sets and performances. As a result, we are more sensitive to the characters and situations. Had the film been made in an artificial, studio-bound environment, it is quite likely that Richard Widmark's role as Tommy Udo would not have had the impact it did. Widmark's remarkable debut performance is one of the movie's highlights. Not only is he truly frightening when involved in some sadistic activity, but he also causes a certain nervous excitement when he isn't doing much of anything, simply because you feel he could 'fly off the handle' at any moment. The plot involves Nick Bianco (Victor Mature in one of his best roles), a basically decent fellow who has resorted to crime, because he can't find work. Ultimately, the Assistant D.A. (Brian Donlevy) manages to convince Bianco to operate as a police informant, in order to obtain and maintain his parole. Unfortunately, this involves informing on Tommy Udo.... A great film from beginning to end; KISS OF DEATH also boasts a Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer screenplay, and cinematography by Norbert Brodine. Brodine also worked with Hathaway on THE HOUSE ON 92nd STREET (1945). As usual, the commentary by Alain Silver and James Ursini is marvelous.
          -- ronzo

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