In "The Prowler," police officers Webb Garwood(Van Heflin) and Bud Crocker(John Maxwell) respond to a call about a prowler that has been menacing Susan Gilvray(Evelyn Keyes). After being satisfied that she is safe, they leave. Later that night, Webb returns and the two find a common ground in both being from the same
part of Indiana where he was a high school basketball star. Susan came west to become an actress but eventually married John Gilvray(Sherry Hall) who hosts a late night radio show, keeping her company on her sleepless nights. At first, she is resistant to Webb's rough charms but eventually agrees to meet him in Las Vegas.
Director by Joseph Losey, "The Prowler" is a nifty noir film that is ahead of its time in its brief pre-credits sequence and in insinuating life beyond twin beds. In shifting gears from night to day, the movie is about two amongst many who come to Los Angeles to live a dream and end up having it unfulfilled, staying on to live a modest life. For Susan, it is life in a loveless marriage to an older man. The film looks down on Webb for hating being a policeman(This is a job you would have to love with all of its attendant hardships including long hours, low pay and the constant threat of violence.) which is a profession that provides a public service. He has larger dreams like owning his own motel on the way to Las Vegas. Like all plans, it all comes down to the details.
March 22, 2010
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