Widmark's career was unusual in that he didn't really begin his acting career in film until his early thirties. His debut in Kiss of Death (1947) is one of the most electrifying film debuts in motion picture history. His cackling psychopath, Tommy Udo remains one of the most vivid portrayal of a sadistic character captured on film.
The most famous scene of this film and possibly in film noir is Widmark/Udo's pushing an old woman down a flight of stairs in a wheelchair. The scene loses none of its power even today.
20th Century Fox was duly impressed with Widmark's rookie effort and so they kept him busy with a series of mostly forgettable films through the late 40's and early 50's. During this period his most noteworthy work was in Jules Dassin's Night and The City (1950) and in Panic in the Streets (1950)
If Widmark's work in Kiss of Death remains his most iconic, his role in Pickup on South Street (1953) showcased all of Widmark's best qualities as a screen performer. The film, one of the great Samuel Fuller's best showed Widmark's attractiveness, sensitivity, selfishness and brutality (especially in the love scenes) in a way that no other director had been able to do previously or for the rest of his career.
Widmark worked regularly through his professional life and his career became more workmanlike and he settled into being a reliable craftsmanlike actor. Strangely enough, for an actor so at home in an urban setting, Widmark began to gravitate
towards Westerns and many of his more high profile roles were in this genre. One of his most memorable and high-profile roles in this area was in the John Wayne epic The
Widmark's screen legacy is interesting and remains influential (even to those who may not be completely familiar with his work). It would be nice if his passing would trigger a re-examination and renewed appreciation of his long and varied career.
