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:

Der Haß ist blind

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

Although many credit this as Sidney Poitier's film debut, he had previously made three short films for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. However, this was his first credited appearance in a commercial feature film.

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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 wanted to examine your ex-husband's body. To make sure he died from the causes we think he did. We're not permitted to without permission of the family.
Edie Johnson: Well, what about Johnny's brothers?
Dr. Dan Wharton: They won't allow it.
Edie Johnson: For cash they will.
Dr. Dan Wharton: I'm afraid not.
Edie Johnson: For two bits they'd sell his eyeballs.
Dr. Dan Wharton: You're fond of them, I can see that.
Edie Johnson: They're lovable.

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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

References Little Black Sambo (1935)

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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

An Early Poitier Classic

This movie, even today, stands out as one of the best, and most honest of Hollywood films dealing racism and prejudice. Good friends Poitier and Widmark are anything but as they play, respectively, a hospital intern and a racist hoodlum. The scenes between them are can be hard to watch because of the raw, uncensored for the time slurs spouted by Widmark at Poitier. Widmark is not redeemed at the end, nor is the subject of racism mollycoddled. It is a tribute to this film that its' existence bear witness to the fact that Hollywood has long been capable of portraying some of life's most unpleasant realities. This film is a bright spot on the resumes of all involved, particularly Poitier, who plays someone who is human more than noble, and Widmark, who puts a realistic face on raw, naked bigotry.