Don't Bother To Knock (DVD)

...black and white film called Don't Bother To Knock.

The film stars Marilyn Monroe in one of the few dramatic roles the studios allowed her to play. Realising the big money for her image was in the musicals she made, or the light fluffy blonde roles, she rarely had chance to show her versatility as an actress. Richard Widmark starred alongside her in this movie, with Anne Bancroft as the other big name.

PLOT

...films and accepted it. But Don't Bother To Knock is actually a very good film, easy to get into and Marilyn was the star for me.

I loved the tension and the way it all built up over the minutes, with a Hitchcock-like quality to it. I also loved the closing scenes, which are poignant, satisfying and quietly optimistic. All the main characters have been on a journey and learned from their experiences and will forever be changed by them.
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INTRO

I finally treated myself to a portable TV with inset DVD player for my bedroom. This means that when I suggest watching a film from the 1950s or 1960s and hubby complains, I can go off to our room to watch it in peace. The first film I chose to watch on it was a 1952 black and white film called Don't Bother To Knock.

The film stars Marilyn Monroe in one of the few dramatic roles the studios allowed her to play. Realising the big money for her image was in the musicals she made, or the light fluffy blonde roles, she rarely had chance to show her versatility as an actress. Richard Widmark starred alongside her in this movie, with Anne Bancroft as the other big name.

PLOT

The film is set in a hotel in New York. Jed Towers (Widmark) is a pilot who has recently been involved in a relationship with resident singer Lyn Lesley (Bancroft). After she rejects his attempts at reconciliation, he goes to his hotel room to drown his sorrows. Out of his window, he sees a beautiful young woman in a sexy negligee…

Mr. and Mrs Jones are downstairs at a private function, leaving their daughter Bunny in the care of Nell Forbes (Monroe), who has been hired as a babysitter for the evening. She was recommended to the couple by Nell's uncle Eddie, who works as the lift operator there.

It soon becomes obvious that Nell's behaviour is rather strange. After dressing up in Mrs Jones' clothes and jewellery, she reacts bizarrely to Jed arriving at her door. Soon the safety of the young girl in Nell's charge is called into question…

REVIEW

The film is atmospheric and has a dark undertone throughout. It is only set in the hotel and is in real time, so there are no flashbacks or jumps forward to the next day; it is all shown as it could have happened. This gives it an extra realism, I felt and it added to the tone and tension of the film.

It is more of a drama than a thriller, but there is still that ever present air of threat, which makes you want to keep watching. Of course, compared to something modern like The Silence of the Lambs, this is the Teletubbies, but this works brilliantly for its time and without any special effects, it conveys its message very effectively. This is done through the acting and the lighting, making it a moody piece. The fact it is black and white also adds to the whole effect.

The acting is generally of a very high standard, although Eddie leans slightly towards caricature at times. He provides some of the light relief though, as does the quick-witted bartender.

Richard Widmark puts in a rather subtle performance. While remaining quite stoic and frowning almost constantly, his character does change over the course of the film - and for the better. This is achieved in a convincing and realistic way and again held my interest.

Anne Bancroft sings prettily and provides the love interest as Lyn, but Marilyn has the better role. As Nell, she gets to show both sides of the character - the quiet, withdrawn, sweet side and the disturbed part. As we get to discover more about Nell, we feel both sadness towards her and all she has suffered, while equally fearing for her sanity and what she might inflict on those around her.

This is so different to the usual roles we associate with Marilyn Monroe. While still beautiful and with that distinctive breathy voice, she manages to convince us that Nell is a genuinely threatening woman. She can turn quickly from screaming aggression to unnerving superficial calm, which is a hard skill for most actors and if anyone ever doubted Marilyn could act, they would surely be convinced by this amazing performance.

I admit I am a huge Marilyn fan, but I'm not blinkered, I have watched my favourite film stars in awful films and accepted it. But Don't Bother To Knock is actually a very good film, easy to get into and Marilyn was the star for me.

I loved the tension and the way it all built up over the minutes, with a Hitchcock-like quality to it. I also loved the closing scenes, which are poignant, satisfying and quietly optimistic. All the main characters have been on a journey and learned from their experiences and will forever be changed by them.

SUMMARY

A great example of a high quality 1950s film with good actors and a surprising performance from Marilyn Monroe.

9 out of 10 from me

INFORMATION

1952 film, 76 minutes long, rated PG in the UK

Available from Amazon for £5.97 or as part of Marilyn Monroe : The Collection (Volume 1) DVD boxset for £23.97, which contains seven films - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Niagara, Bus Stop, River of No Return, Don't Bother to Knock, We're Not Married and Love Nest.

 

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