Pickup on South Street (1953)

Film discussion

We encourage our audience to have an opinion about the films they watch. We hope they enjoy our screenings but more importantly we'd like them to articulate what they do and don't like about what they've seen.

We believe in the power of storytelling and that all the films we show have a good story to tell while maintaining a strong point of view.

On this page we'll be sharing our thoughts about the films we've screened, and we'd encourage you to add to the discussion in the comments section.

20/5/2017

Pickup on South Street (1953)

3 Comments

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Pickup on South Street is a standout within the film noir genre. The protagonist, the sinister and self-interested Skip (Richard Widmark), whose conversion comes quickly near the end of the film, and who seems destined to an untimely end he manages to avoid is atypical of the genre. As is the relative sweetness of the femme fatale, Candy (Jean Peters), whose life on the wrong side of the tracks in the arms of too many men has left her loving and selfless and devoted to Skip, someone who seems more unworthy than her many previous boyfriends. And among the many fascinating minor characters, Mo (Thelma Ritter) is the most engaging, with her untimely end being sudden, shocking and undeserved... something that sits somewhat uneasily among the many conventions of the genre.

All of this is framed through a strong anti-communist frame, which makes the film very much of its time, and perhaps a little jarring for modern audiences.

It also has all the elements that make film noir such an engaging genre.. the moody black and white photography, the sharp and often witty dialogue, and a focus on the darker side of human nature.

It's both the differences and the familiar elements of this kind of film which make it worth a second look even if you are not a fan of the genre.

What are your thoughts?

3 Comments

Ruth

22/5/2017 12:04:43 pm

Pickup on South Street was an entertaining film. The viewing location; by the river, in a city lane with the cacophony of inner city nightlife added an interesting element to the viewing experience. A perfect location to view this film.
Mo was my favourite character, a quirky strong resilient street- wise women with a convincing eye for style. I thought the sound track was magnificent in the way it created drama and built tension whilst also leaving space for the element of surprise.

Mark

23/5/2017 01:55:38 pm

I'd agree Ruth... Mo was the strongest and most likeable character, her role was pivotal in holding the entire film together.

Bruce Beresford

2/6/2017 10:48:25 am

I think that very few film noir still impress when viewed today. Perhaps only "Touch of Evil" ( despite it's impossible plot) and "The Asphalt Jungle". "Pickup" seems to me rather tame and limp despite the fact that Samuel Fuller was a director with talent. (He was quite mad. I once had to accompany him to screenings of his films at the Edinburgh Film Festival. He drank like crazy and was carrying a pistol). I find most of his films had occasional strong scenes but were weak overall.

Film discussion

Pickup on South Street (1953)

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