The Trap is an independent film produced by star Richard Widmark which sad to say doesn't get broadcast often enough.
Widmark plays a mob attorney who goes to his former hole in the wall one horse town where his stern father Carl Benton Reid and jealous younger brother Earl Holliman are sheriff and deputy. Widmark is hoping to get his family to help big time mobster Lee J. Cobb escape to Mexico.
Dad doesn't prove amenable to helping a son he despises for whom he works for. He even likes the weak and vacillating Earl Holliman more than Widmark.
When the plan blows up and Widmark realizes it's brought about the destruction of his family he resolves to bring Cobb in. But it proves to be a daunting task.
Cobb essentially repeats the roles he had as mobsters in On the Waterfront and Party Girl. He doesn't break any new ground, but he's always fascinating to watch.
Holliman has the best role in The Trap. He's married to Tina Louise who Widmark abandoned when he left their town. Holliman always has known he was less than a second choice husband and his resentment crackles throughout his performance.
I wish that The Trap was broadcast more often. Maybe it will be seen on a Richard Widmark retrospective if that man ever gets his long deserved lifetime achievement award.
Widmark plays a mob attorney who goes to his former hole in the wall one horse town where his stern father Carl Benton Reid and jealous younger brother Earl Holliman are sheriff and deputy. Widmark is hoping to get his family to help big time mobster Lee J. Cobb escape to Mexico.
Dad doesn't prove amenable to helping a son he despises for whom he works for. He even likes the weak and vacillating Earl Holliman more than Widmark.
When the plan blows up and Widmark realizes it's brought about the destruction of his family he resolves to bring Cobb in. But it proves to be a daunting task.
Cobb essentially repeats the roles he had as mobsters in On the Waterfront and Party Girl. He doesn't break any new ground, but he's always fascinating to watch.
Holliman has the best role in The Trap. He's married to Tina Louise who Widmark abandoned when he left their town. Holliman always has known he was less than a second choice husband and his resentment crackles throughout his performance.
I wish that The Trap was broadcast more often. Maybe it will be seen on a Richard Widmark retrospective if that man ever gets his long deserved lifetime achievement award.