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IMDbPro

Don't Bother to Knock

  • 1952
  • Passed
  • 1h 16m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark in Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
Trailer for this classic thriller starring Marilyn Monroe
Play trailer2:41
1 Video
56 Photos
DramaFilm-NoirMystery

After being dumped by his girlfriend, an airline pilot pursues a babysitter in his hotel and gradually realizes she's dangerous.After being dumped by his girlfriend, an airline pilot pursues a babysitter in his hotel and gradually realizes she's dangerous.After being dumped by his girlfriend, an airline pilot pursues a babysitter in his hotel and gradually realizes she's dangerous.

  • Director
    • Roy Ward Baker
  • Writers
    • Daniel Taradash
    • Charlotte Armstrong
  • Stars
    • Richard Widmark
    • Marilyn Monroe
    • Anne Bancroft
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    7.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roy Ward Baker
    • Writers
      • Daniel Taradash
      • Charlotte Armstrong
    • Stars
      • Richard Widmark
      • Marilyn Monroe
      • Anne Bancroft
    • 120User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Don't Bother To Knock
    Trailer 2:41
    Watch Don't Bother To Knock

    Photos56

    Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark in Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe 1952 20th
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe 1952 20th
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe & Donna Corcoran 1952 20th
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe 1952 20th
    "Don't Bother To Knock" 1952 20th
    M. Monroe "Don't Bother to Knock" © 1952
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe & Richard Widmark 1952 20th
    "Don't Bother To Knock" M. Monroe & Donna Corcoran 1952
    "Don't Bother to Knock" 1952
    "Don't Bother to Knock" 1952
    "Don't Bother to Knock" 1952

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Widmark
    Richard Widmark
    • Jed Towers
    Marilyn Monroe
    Marilyn Monroe
    • Nell Forbes
    Anne Bancroft
    Anne Bancroft
    • Lyn Lesley
    Donna Corcoran
    Donna Corcoran
    • Bunny Jones
    Jeanne Cagney
    Jeanne Cagney
    • Rochelle
    Lurene Tuttle
    Lurene Tuttle
    • Ruth Jones
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Eddie Forbes
    Jim Backus
    Jim Backus
    • Peter Jones
    Verna Felton
    Verna Felton
    • Mrs. Ballew
    Willis Bouchey
    Willis Bouchey
    • Joe - the Bartender
    • (as Willis B. Bouchey)
    Don Beddoe
    Don Beddoe
    • Mr. Ballew
    Harry Bartell
    Harry Bartell
    • Bellboy
    • (uncredited)
    Gloria Blondell
    Gloria Blondell
    • Janie - Photographer
    • (uncredited)
    John Call
    John Call
    • Bellboy
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Cogan
    Dick Cogan
    • Bell Captain
    • (uncredited)
    Charles J. Conrad
    • Speaker
    • (uncredited)
    Tom Daly
    • Man in Elevator
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Denny
    • Lobby Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roy Ward Baker
    • Writers
      • Daniel Taradash
      • Charlotte Armstrong
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the novel upon which the movie is based, Nell's surname is 'Munro'. This was changed to Forbes after Marilyn Monroe was cast in the role.
    • Goofs
      When Lyn and Jed get photographed in the bar by the camera lady, she snaps only one picture of them. When she brings the novelty items (handkerchief, matchbook, ashtray, and postcard) to their booth minutes later, the handkerchief shows a different pose than the others - Lyn's arm is extended, and there is no shadow across Jed's face. Additionally, neither of the poses on the items reflects the actual pose of the couple when the picture was taken.
    • Quotes

      Eddie Forbes: You smell like a cooch dancer!

    • Connections
      Featured in Marilyn (1963)
    • Soundtracks
      How About You?
      (uncredited)

      Music by Burton Lane

      Lyrics by Ralph Freed

      Performed by Eve Marley dubbing for Anne Bancroft

    User reviews120

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Don't tell mom the babysitter is NUTS
    Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark star in this early Monroe star vehicle. This is one film you'd never see being made today, due to the new child-care sensibilities. Jim Backus and Lorene Tuttle leave their child with a complete stranger while they go out for an evening. The stranger is Monroe, complete with wrist scars, who is the niece of the elevator man in the hotel where the couple is staying. Mid-evening, she picks up with Widmark, who is more upset about his lounge singer girlfriend (Anne Bancroft) breaking up with him than he thought he would be - he and Monroe flirt from their respective rooms. Widmark goes to the room, expecting a night of fun. Instead he and the hapless child get a night of terror, with Monroe believing Widmark is her dead pilot boyfriend and nearly killing not only the little girl but her uncle as well. Turns out, Marilyn's been institutionalized and her uncle (Elisha Cooke, Jr.) thought she was "nearly well." Monroe is very good in this - very beautiful, of course, as well as vulnerable and believable. The wild look in her eyes when she scolds the little girl is downright scary. One thing that has always bothered me about Monroe doing drama is her very excellent diction which always sounds studied and unnatural. It's a distraction in this film as well. However, she's so watchable in everything - the camera just adored her - I have to believe that as she lived and aged, she would have had more chances at drama.

    Widmark is excellent as the apparent cynic who proves to have more to him than his girlfriend thought - in fact, his character was much better with the child than Monroe's; Bancroft's role is small and belies her future dramatic appearances; and there is a cameo by "Honeybee Gillis," Joan Blondell's sister Gloria, as a photographer.
    helpful•44
    2
    • blanche-2
    • Jul 29, 2005

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1952 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mischief
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 16 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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