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Home Overlooked Films Tuesday’s Overlooked Film: Don’t Bother to Knock (1952)

November 27, 2012 By iluvcinema 14 Comments

Tuesday’s Overlooked Film: Don’t Bother to Knock (1952)

SYNPOSIS (via Wikipedia):

Based on the book Mischief by Charlotte Armstrong published in 1951, Don’t Bother to Knock features Marilyn Monroe as a disturbed babysitter watching a child at the same New York hotel where a pilot, played by Richard Widmark, is staying. Her strange behavior makes him increasingly aware that she is the last person the parents should have entrusted with their daughter.

After seeing this film a couple of time, I have come to the following conclusion: this should have been a signal to audiences and the public at large that Monroe’s rather terrifying portrayal was a bit close to home. For my money, she was quite believable as a mentally fragile woman on the verge of a pure psychotic break – then again maybe it is just a bit of hindsight.

A bit of trivia: Don’t Bother to Knock marked the film debut of Anne Bancroft.

Check out other overlooked films on Todd’s blog Sweet Freedom.

Filed Under: Overlooked Films Tagged With: dont bother to knock, marilyn monroe, richard widmark

Comments

  1. Todd Mason says

    November 27, 2012 at 9:29 am

    Another I need to see again…not the kind of role her image-shapers wanted for her!
    Todd Mason recently posted..Friday’s “Forgotten” Books–*more* post T-day Limited Edition set of linksMy Profile

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      November 27, 2012 at 10:03 am

      The way she treated the children was frankly completely nuts!

      Reply
  2. Sergio (Tipping My Fedora) says

    November 27, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Great choice Iba – one of the lesser known films directed by Roy (Ward) Baker, who later made the best of all Titanic movies, A NIGHT TO REMEMBER as well as the likes of QUATERMASS AND THE PIT. This would make a fairly diabolical double-bill with Bette Davis’ THE NANNY (or triple bill with THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE) –
    Sergio (Tipping My Fedora) recently posted..Top 20 Spy moviesMy Profile

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      November 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      Yeah that is right – forgot he did “A Night to Remember” love that movie! I agree it is the best Titanic movie EVER. And The Nanny is nuts!!

      Reply
      • ruth says

        November 28, 2012 at 5:43 pm

        Now you got me curious about A Night To Remember as I’ve only seen one Titanic movie so far.
        ruth recently posted..The Flix List: First Impression from Second StringersMy Profile

        Reply
        • iluvcinema says

          November 28, 2012 at 6:08 pm

          Be warned there is not the level of romance or drama in this one. It is just a very good straightforward account of the tragic event.

  3. Yvette says

    November 27, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    I absolutely love A NIGHT TO REMEMBER as well – the best TITANIC movie. I know I saw this Monroe movie but damn if I can remember anything about it. I went to the movies every week when I was a kid during the fifties so I know I’ve seen just about every movie made during that time. Now if only I could remember them…

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      November 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm

      🙂 I think we could all benefit with a little more memory. At any age …

      Reply
  4. Jack Deth says

    November 28, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    Hi, Iluv:

    Intriguing choice for an Overlooked Film!

    It’s always interesting, though sometimes creepy when an actor or actress plays against type. And in ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ the latter is writ large. Whoever knew that Marylin Monroe could be so flat out scary!

    One of those films best watched through covering fingers or just listened to.

    PS: If you have a few minutes, drop by Ruth’s ‘FlixChatter’. I have a guest post I think you’ll enjoy!

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      December 2, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      Thanks Jack! Will do so ASAP!

      Reply
  5. Mystery Man says

    February 16, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    great review! i remember being impressed with her performance when i saw it. def a different way of seeing her. nevr thought of it as being a reflection of her real life, but now that you mention it, that is a valid point. perhaps why she was so good in it
    Mystery Man recently posted..Some Guy Who Kills PeopleMy Profile

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      February 18, 2013 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Classic Chops: 30th January | The Large Association of Movie Blogs says:
    January 30, 2013 at 11:01 am

    […] Don’t Bother to Knock […]

    Reply
  2. Marilyn’s Greatest Hits (IMO) — i luv cinema says:
    June 1, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    […] Don’t Bother to Knock  (1952): check out my previous post. […]

    Reply

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