Unbilled bit player Tony Curtis' face flashed on the screen for only a few seconds as Yvonne DeCarlo's rumba partner in Robert Siodmak's 1949 CRISS CROSS but fan mail poured in from around the country and Universal began to groom him for stardom. Billed as Anthony Curtis, JOHNNY STOOLPIGEON was his first film and the role of a mute gunsel gave the newcomer a chance to get his feet wet without embarrassing himself or the studio. Third-billed Dan Duryea had the titular role of a gangster sprung from prison to help San Francisco-based narcotics agent Howard Duff infiltrate a powerful drug ring after Duryea's wife dies from an overdose. Duff, a childhood pal, had sent him up years before and Duryea vows eventual revenge but together they hook up with a Vancouver drug lord who uses his blowzy moll Shelley Winters to keep an eye on them. Dan falls for Shelley who falls for Howard and they all head to a fancy Tuscon, Arizona dude ranch where a major Mexican drug deal is about to go down. Things get complicated when young gunsel Curtis thinks he recognizes Duff...
Told in semi-documentary style with a bit of voice-over narration, JOHNNY STOOLPIGEON is an entertaining programmer that showcases the charms of the ever available Shelley Winters, Universal's newest sex symbol, while seasoned pros Dan Duryea and Howard Duff get a chance to flex their familiar personas. Directed by future schlockmeister William Castle, the shadowy photography gives the proceedings a noirish feel while the brisk pace generates a fair amount of suspense on both the criminal and romantic levels. The ridiculous Hollywood ending only adds to the fun. Definitely recommended for Classic Film fans but others should proceed with a bit of caution.
Told in semi-documentary style with a bit of voice-over narration, JOHNNY STOOLPIGEON is an entertaining programmer that showcases the charms of the ever available Shelley Winters, Universal's newest sex symbol, while seasoned pros Dan Duryea and Howard Duff get a chance to flex their familiar personas. Directed by future schlockmeister William Castle, the shadowy photography gives the proceedings a noirish feel while the brisk pace generates a fair amount of suspense on both the criminal and romantic levels. The ridiculous Hollywood ending only adds to the fun. Definitely recommended for Classic Film fans but others should proceed with a bit of caution.