I Walk Alone

In my six-decade movie viewing I never saw "I Walk Alone," until now. So, boy was I surprised at the style, artistry, cinematography in this long-hidden gem starring the two Hollywood greats Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, whose film contributions will never be equaled by another. Separately, they made wonderful independent films, but together it's always a treat. I bought this because I wanted to see Wendell Corey get his due supporting these two. As the first pairing of these stars, they do not disappoint. The sparks fly at first sight of one another after a prison stretch of 13 years for Frankie Madison (Burt Lancaster). In fact in this brilliantly shot noir, Frankie goes back to his 'ol buddy Noll 'Dink' Turner over 3 times where they duke it out verbally before fists fly. Frankie wants half of the night club's worth while he was in the slammer. It doesn't happen because they've gone modern with the bookkeeping, where the business is shielded by incorporating so much like the ruthless capitalism today . To console Frankie, 'Dink' sends his girlfriend, Lizabeth Scott (Kay Lawrence) his way. This is when a change takes place. Wendell Corey (Dave) moderates his voice as if he is just a tool in a larger game, inhuman like they have all become, as if in a trance. Dave tries to become human later but it comes at a cost as the pivotal character in this tight drama. Kay is not a femme fatale. She's an accomplished pianist/singer in the club who wants to settle down. Frankie is unconvinced until Kay shows up in his apartment preparing a meal for him, having a real conversation. Frankie softens not just to her stylish wardrobe either. The classy cinematography is done by Leo Tover, (no slouch there) who did the brilliant work in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" among others. I would put this up against "Suspicion" by Hitchcock in its brilliant, shimmering look with all the whites, greys and blacks that noir requires. I can't give the plot away, because this must be seen more than once to comprehend the sudden climactic finish with just two of the 3 major characters alive, walking into a fog bank. Okay, I'll just leave one tip: Frankie outwits Dink, the low-down heel, something about a fountain pen .

PHOTO QUIZ: Photos 1-8Lizabeth Scott vs. Lauren Bacall.Can you tell which is which?For the answers, see the end of this review.‘I Walk Alone’ is probably best remembered as the first of seven films teaming Burt Lancaster with Kirk Douglas (and the only film noir they made together).But co-star Lizabeth Scott deserves equal credit.For a major Hollywood star, Lizabeth Scott made surprisingly few films:21 titles between 1944 and 1957 (but she went out with a bang, co-starring with Elvis Presley in ‘Loving You’).[and she came out of retirement in 1972 for ‘Pulp’ with Michael Caine.]Lizabeth Scott was notoriously difficult to get along with:Earlier she had been romantically involved with Burt Lancaster, her co-star in ‘Desert Fury’ (1947),but by the time of ‘I Walk Alone’, their relationship had cooled,and she transferred her affections to the film’s producer Hal Wallis.The following year, Burt Lancaster said of Scott: “Becoming her close friend ... is a long stretch at hard labor.”This was also the second time that Lizabeth Scott worked with Kirk Douglas (following the previous year’s ‘Strange Love of Martha Ivers’).Neither actor worked with her again.Lizabeth Scott’s reputation as one of the leading ladies of film noir is secure: Ten film noir classics between 1946 and 1952:--- 1946  The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack) --- 1947  Dead Reckoning --- 1947  Desert Fury [Blu-ray ]--- 1947 I Walk Alone - reviewed on this page--- 1948  Pitfall (1948) [Blu-ray ]--- 1949  Too Late for Tears (Newly Restored) [Blu-ray/DVD ]--- 1950  Dark City [Blu-ray ]--- 1951 Two of a Kind:  Bad Girls of Film Noir, Vol. 1 (The Killer That Stalked New York / Two of a Kind / Bad for Each Other / The Glass Wall) --- 1951  Racket, The (1951) --- 1952 Stolen Face:  Hammer Film Noir Double Feature, Vol. 2: Stolen Face and Blackout The new Kino-Lorber blu-ray of ‘I Walk Alone’ is a 4K Scan of “the 35mm safety dupe negative” by Paramount Pictures Archive.If I understand correctly, a safety dupe negative was a spare copy of the negative, stored in a Paramount vault in case of damage to the original negative (am I right?).Anyway, nice picture and sound.Special Features:--- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth--- English SDH subtitles--- Trailers for Burt Lancaster and/or Kirk Douglas films (not film noir trailers)QUIZ ANSWERS:Lizabeth Scott = photos 1, 2, 4, 8Lauren Bacall = photos 3, 7Photos 2 and 4 show Lizabeth Scott with Humphrey Bogart (Lauren Bacall's husband).

This DVD arrived on time, was just as described

Not that great. Big fan of Lancaster and classic movies. Should’ve spent an extra dollar and rented a better one. I don’t recommend it.

This review is for the KINO LORBER DVD. An excellent B/W transfer, 4.3 ratio, clear picture, good sound and optional English subtitles. I have been looking for a DVD release of this film for a long time. I have never seen the film, and I wasn't disapointed. Despite some poor contemporary reviews, the film finds Lancaster,Scott and Douglas almost at their peak, All 3 show real charisma and acting chops that would develop in the coming years. The plot is basic "film noir" - Burt comes out of a 14 year jail sentence feeling aggrieved that his ex partner - Kirk - has betrayed him. You can guess the rest. Scott purrs beautifully, and sings a couple of torch songs. Good support from Marc Lawrence, Mickey Knox ( as a sadistic gunsel) and Mike Mazurki as Kirk's dorman and bouncer, and he gives Burt a thorough bouncing in what is the only real violence in the film. Not the best and perhaps to many only a 4 star, but I loved it and will watch it again in a couple of years.

Lancaster and Douglas, the beginning of the beautiful friendship. Lisabeth Scott comes along for the ride. But for a con, Lancaster is not very street-wise, and some of the writing is cringe-worthy.

Was looking for a film noir, found this on Google search. Omg SUCH a Great Movie!! I've never seen Burt Lancaster before, what a cutie - and Great as an ex-Prohibition gangster. I love Lizabeth Scott as the femme fatale - she's Awesome! Love the ending too!

brilliant film lancaster and douglas at their best, very speedy delivery. Graham.

Unfortunately I brought a Blu-ray that only works in American player’s. I should read the product description

Unfortunately, the video appeared to be a tape recording put on DVD of the film when it was on television. As a result, it was a grainy image rather than a clear image you would expect to find on a disc.

Excellent quality picture and audio great movie

This movie title is hard to find, my brother was very pleased.