The Prowler (1951)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
In a fancy suburb in California, the gorgeous housewife Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes) finds a prowler outside her house late one night and she calls the police. Officer Webb Garwood (Van Heflin) and his partner answer the call but do not find anyone. Later Webb returns to Susan's house with the pretext of checking if everything is OK. Susan invites him in to have coffee with her. Webb soon learns that Susan is married to John Gilvray (Sherry Hall), a middle-aged broadcaster of a late night radio show. They also discover that they are from the same hometown. Webb makes a pass at Susan and even though she tries to put him off they soon start a love affair. When John becomes suspicious Susan ends her relationship with Webb. Though difficult Webb stays away from Susan. Without Susan's knowledge Webb plots a scheme to get rid of John; he simulates a scenario where John is "accidently" shot dead. There is an inquest and it is ruled that John Gilvray's death was not intentional. Webb quits the police-force a job he was never happy doing. He manipulates John's brother (Emerson Treacy) to get close to Susan again. He learns that John could not have children and that John and Susan's marriage was not perfect. Webb meets Susan and convinces her that he is really innocent. - Actors:
- Van Heflin, Evelyn Keyes, John Maxwell, Katherine Warren, Emerson Treacy, Madge Blake, Wheaton Chambers, Robert Osterloh, Sherry Hall, Louise Lorimer, Herbert Anderson, Louise Bates, Jack Baxley, Benny Burt, Steve Carruthers, John Damler, Bess Flowers, John George, Alan Harris, Fred Hoose
- Directors:
- Joseph Losey
- Producers:
- John Huston, Samuel Rheiner, Sam Spiegel
- Writers:
- Hugo Butler, Robert Thoeren, Hans Wilhelm, Dalton Trumbo
- Aka:
- Cost of Loving
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Thrillers
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Reviews (2) of The Prowler
The Prowler: Who’s Watching Whom? - The Prowler review by griggs
The Prowler is a gripping and deeply unsettling noir that takes a sharp look at corruption and abuse of power. Its exploration of these themes is often uncomfortable to watch, with its casual victim-blaming and unsettling moral decay, yet it moves along with the ease of a more conventional thriller. The film’s use of sound is particularly striking—one key character is mainly heard rather than seen, and his voice plays a crucial role in the story, adding an eerie, almost disembodied presence. Most of the film is made up of dialogue scenes between the two leads, which might explain its quick production, but that doesn’t make it feel any less accomplished. It all builds to a stunning climax in a desolate ghost town, a brilliantly staged and visually haunting ending.
Classic Noir (spoiler). - The Prowler review by Steve
Stylish film noir (scripted by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo) which is the last completed feature directed by Joseph Losey before he fled Hollywood to escape HUAC. Despite a powerful speech about the ubiquity of US corruption, this isn't an overtly socialist film. Though noir is nearly always about greed (and sex) which often implies a political message.
A patrol cop (Van Heflin) is called to the house of a lonely, attractive housewife (Evelyn Keyes) and they start an affair. On discovering her husband’s wealth, the officer raises the stakes by shooting him and claiming accidental homicide. Eventually the widow swallows his explanation and they marry. And he quits to enjoy the perks of her inheritance.
Only it all falls apart… This is psychological noir, with the cop spinning a net which entraps his victim. He’s actually called Webb! There are fine performances from Heflin and- especially- Keyes. Such a strong impression of her exploitable vulnerability.
There’s a pessimistic noir feel with an engaging, low budget sleaziness. And an unusual, downbeat climax out in the desert where she gives birth to a child, the timing of which means the gas for the retired patrolman. It did poorly at the box office but gradually gained a deserved following on tv among genre fans.