Road House (1948)

 

SPOILER ALERT! if you haven't seen it.

Toss Richard Widmark into a Film Noir and it will be good. Especially if he's the villain.

In Road House (1948), Widmark plays "Jefty" Robbins, the owner of a place called... well, "Road House." It's a bar/bowling alley establishment, which Jefty's friend Pete Morgan (Cornell Wilde) runs efficiently as manager.

Things get complicated when Jefty brings a singer back with him from a trip to Chicago. This is Lily Stevens, played by Ida Lupina. Pete doesn't like this--Jefty often gets crushes on girls like Lily, then gets tired of them. Pete is then stuck with the unpleasant job of paying off the girl.

He tries to get Lily to leave, but she's strong-willed. She's also a good singer and brings in customers. So Lily stays. Jefty's crush on her intensifies, even though she makes it clear she's not romantically interested in him. In the meantime, Pete and Lily gradually fall for each other.

This first act of the movie is just a tad slow-paced, but this allows the movie to take the time to solidly establish character personalities and relationships, making the Pete/Lily stuff believable rather than a contrived plot point. Also, the dialogue is snappy and the cast is strong. This cast includes Celeste Holme as a cashier who also likes Pete, but proves to be a friend to both him and Lily when needed.

The Film Noir stuff kicks in when Jefty learns that Pete and Lily are going to get married. Jefty doesn't take this well. Widmark's performance here is superb, gradually taking Jefty down a slope that starts with "deceitful, selfish jerk" to "full-on pyscho." 

He frames Pete for embezzlement. After Pete is convicted, Jefty puts on a "I wanna help my friend" act for the judge, getting Pete probation on the condition that he comes back to Road House and gradually pays back the stolen funds. But once Pete is back, Jefty makes it clear that Pete is essentially no more than a slave--either do what Jefty says (including "don't marry Lily") or go to jail.

This all leads to an intense climax at an isolated cabin in the woods, with a drunken, gloating Jefty driving both Pete and Lily to consider drastic measures.

It's a strong, well-made Noir with a great cast. You can watch it in its entirety on YouTube: