No Way Out (1950)

A black doctor is assigned to treat two white racist suspects who are brothers, and when one dies, it causes tension that could start a race riot.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Lesser Samuels

Stars:

Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell, Stephen McNally

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Widmark	...	Ray Biddle
Linda Darnell	...	Edie Johnson
Stephen McNally	...	Dr. Dan Wharton
Sidney Poitier	...	Dr. Luther Brooks
Mildred Joanne Smith	...	Cora Brooks
Harry Bellaver	...	George Biddle
Stanley Ridges	...	Dr. Sam Moreland
Dots Johnson	...	Lefty Jones

Storyline

The Biddle brothers, shot while robbing a gas station, are taken to the prison ward of the County Hospital; Ray Biddle, a rabid racist, wants no treatment from black resident Dr. Luther Brooks. When brother John dies while Luther tries to save him, Ray is certain it's murder and becomes obsessed with vengeance. But there are black racists around too, and the situation slides rapidly toward violence.

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Plot Keywords:

racism | riot | doctor | hospital | black doctor | 

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Taglines:

Is it a question ...or an answer

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

September 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

La porte s'ouvre

Filming Locations:

USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Since this happens to most men, it shouldn't be considered a goof. In the locker room scene, as Dr. Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier) puts on his whites, he fails to zip up. TLD.

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Goofs

After Dr. Brooks retrieves the spinal tap tray from the cabinet and heads back to the ward where Ray and John Biddle are being treated, the shadow of the boom microphone can be briefly seen on the wall upper left on the screen.

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Quotes

Dr. Dan Wharton: We want you to know how sorry we are Mrs. Biddle, we realize this is no time...
Edie Johnson: The name's Johnson. Edie Johnson
Dr. Dan Wharton: Since when?
Edie Johnson: Since I divorced Johnnie Biddle a year and a half ago. So it's nice of you to drop around and tell me you're sorry. Only I'm not interested. And I'll tell you something else. If you came by here to say the whole Biddle family was dying and this cigarette bud was the only thing that could save them
[without emotion throws the cigarette bud out the window]
Edie Johnson: .

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Crazy Credits

The 20th Century Fox logo appears without its familiar fanfare. Instead, the film's music theme begins when the logo is displayed.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Movie Doctors (2014)

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Soundtracks

Tiger Rag
(uncredited)
Written by Nick LaRocca, Edwin B. Edwards, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro, and Larry Shields (aka The Original Dixieland Jazz Band)

User Reviews

still effective

A very effective and engrossing racial drama, with standout performances by Sidney Poitier and Richard Widmark. Widmark, in particular, tears up the screen with his harrowing portrayal of a pathologically obsessed racist; he is almost frightening to watch. The script keeps the action moving along briskly, in edge-of-the seat mode. Still effective, for a film half-a-century old.