IMDb > Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Kiss Me Deadly
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Kiss Me Deadly (1955) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   5,283 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Aldrich
Writers:
Mickey Spillane (novel)
A.I. Bezzerides (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Mickey Spillane's Kiss Me Deadly on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 May 1955 (USA) more
Tagline:
"I don't care what you do to me, Mike - just do it fast!" more
Plot:
A doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious "great whatsit." full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Spillane's Secretary In Kiss Me Deadly Dead At 84
 (From WENN. 15 April 2009, 3:00 PM, PDT)

"The Killing Of Sister George": An Appreciation By David Savage
 (From CinemaRetro. 26 February 2009, 6:25 PM, PST)

User Comments:
What an utterly bizarre film... more (122 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Mickey Spillane's Kiss Me Deadly (USA)
more
Runtime:
106 min | USA:104 min (original version)
Country:
USA
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Glen Glenn Sound)
Certification:
West Germany:18 (nf) | Australia:M | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:(Banned) | Finland:K-16 (re-rating) | Germany:18 (DVD rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated | UK:A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Although Victor Saville is credited as Executive Producer and director Robert Aldrich is credited only as producer, in reality Aldrich had it written into his contract that he had complete control over the picture and it would be made the way he wanted it, specifically stipulating that his decisions could not be overruled by any studio representative. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At the beginning, Christina (Cloris Leachman's character) is shown running at the side of the highway, but the shots of only her feet show her running along the painted center line of the highway. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mike Hammer: You almost wrecked my car! Well? Get in!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Usual Suspects (1995) more
Soundtrack:
RATHER HAVE THE BLUES more

FAQ

What is the "greatwhatsit"?
Why are there two different endings?
What is the European ending?
more
47 out of 63 people found the following comment useful.
What an utterly bizarre film..., 6 July 2000
8/10
Author: A-Ron-2 from Storrs, CT

Man, I saw this movie for the first time a few years ago and I still don't know what to think about it. Ralph Meeker as a fascistic Mike Hammer, a crazy hitch-hiker, an opera fan and a box that can destroy the world. I dunno.

From what I understand Alderitch (the director) hated Mikey Spillane's story (which was about a briefcase full of drugs or money or something else), thought Mike Hammer was an image of brutality and fascism and made a film that reflected it. He makes Hammer out to be some kind of sadist and makes the suitcase out be some kind of nuclear device. The movie turns from a simple detective story to some wierd-ass, sci-fi cold war parable.

It's sort of like the X-Files meets film-noir PI, or something to that effect.

All that being said, this is a GREAT film and is well worth watching by anyone who like apocalyptic film-noir (in fact, this may be the only film in that sub-genre). Anyone who is a fan of bizarre camera work, weird symbolism and a stranger storyline, should really check this out.

Observe the many bizarre inconsistencies (clocks that jump ahead and back, screams that don't jibe right with the soundtrack, camera angles that jump mysteriously) and keep in mind that these were INTENDED! When you get a feel for this film and start noticing what the director was attempting to do with this bizarre film I think that you will enjoy it even more. Truly a unique piece of film making.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (122 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Classical Music In The Film sss-1
The Answerphone Sime-2
Other films that use device of 'box from hell' pat102853
Homosexuality in Kiss Me Deadly fatalattraction
I want a gigantic, wall-mounted, reel-to-reel, 1955, answering machine. Ham_and_Egger
WEHT: Maxine Cooper and Gaby Rodgers? Truman-11
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang The Big Heat Touch of Evil The Salton Sea The Black Widow
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.