Scarlet Street
Scarlet Street

Movie spotlight

Scarlet Street

1945
Movie
103 min
English

Cashier and part-time starving artist Christopher Cross is absolutely smitten with the beautiful Kitty March. Kitty plays along, but she's really only interested in Johnny, a two-bit crook. When Kitty and Johnny find out that art dealers are interested in Chris's work, they con him into letting Kitty take credit for the paintings. Cross allows it because he is in love with Kitty, but his love will only let her get away with so much.

Insights

IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users91%
Director: Fritz LangGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

Christopher Cross, a mild-mannered cashier and amateur painter, dreams of a life beyond his oppressive marriage and dull job. He meets Kitty March, a beautiful young woman he believes is an artist, and begins a passionate affair, showering her with gifts and even his own paintings. However, Kitty and her manipulative boyfriend, Johnny Prince, are only using Chris for his money, orchestrating a complex scheme that leads to betrayal, murder, and Chris's eventual downfall.

Critical Reception

Scarlet Street is widely regarded as a masterpiece of film noir, praised for its dark, psychological themes and Fritz Lang's masterful direction. The film's bleak narrative and shocking twists were noted for their impact, though its then-controversial ending led to censorship issues in some markets. It remains a powerful example of the genre, lauded for its performances and intricate plotting.

What Reviewers Say

  • A dark and compelling film noir with a gripping plot.

  • Edward G. Robinson delivers a career-defining performance as a tragic protagonist.

  • Fritz Lang's direction creates a palpable sense of dread and inevitability.

Google audience: Audiences praise the film's gripping narrative, strong performances, especially from Edward G. Robinson, and its effective suspense. Many appreciate its dark and morally complex themes that hold up over time.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (1946).

Fun Fact

The film's ending was altered for its initial release due to censorship concerns, with the original bleak conclusion being restored in later versions.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
griggs79

griggs79

Why on earth did they decide to colourize _Scarlet Street_? This is a film where every shadow, every drop of rain, and every grimy street corner needs to be black and white to intensify its moody, bleak atmosphere. The grayscale isn’t just ...

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

It's interesting to see Edward G. Robinson cast as the downtrodden bank cashier, trapped in a loveless marriage, who has a penchant for painting. He comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress "Kitty March" (Joan Bennett) who is having a to...

John Chard

John Chard

If he were mean or vicious or if he'd bawl me out or something, I'd like him better. Christopher Cross, in middle aged, and in a life going nowhere and devoid of love and inspiration. Till one evening he rescues Kitty March from a mugg...

Steve

Steve

www.noiroftheweek.com This week's Noir of the Week is Scarlet Street. Its one of my favorite films. Most of you already know the story and hopefully have seen the new release of the film on DVD from Kino International. The film was d...