O Que a Vida Me Negou

A sad little film noir wrapped inside a sad little love story (or vice versa), Walk Softly, Stranger maintains a subdued integrity of tone throughout. You wish it would get a move on, or that the exchanges were snappier, or the rhythms quirkier. But, no, and at the end, you have to admit that, on its own modest terms, it succeeds.

Into the heartland of Ohio drifts grifter Joseph Cotten to settle down in one of those small cities that used to be famous for something – in this case, it's the headquarters of Corelli Shoes, where he wangles himself a job. Cotten lets on that he's returning to the home town he ran away from years before – even taking up room and board with Spring Byington, a widow who now owns what used to be his house. But it's all a lie (or at least seems to be; the script sends mixed messages on this point). He's researched the history of the house and the widow, and also that of the Corelli heiress (Valli; she had dropped the `Alida'), a lonely rich girl crippled in a skiing accident. He hopes to romance her so as to be sitting pretty for the rest of his days – his ultimate con job. But he ends up falling for her.

Cotten's Achilles heel, however, has always been his professional vanity, and he can't pass up one last job – robbing a mob boss of his casino's take. The job succeeds, but his certified loser of an accomplice (Paul Stewart), now down and out, tracks him down and blows both their covers. They're both marked men....

Walk Softly, Stranger, opts for a bittersweet, romantic ending rather than a terminal blow-out, and that's in keeping with all that goes before. But problems remain. Cotten's performance reminds us, in its watered-down way, of his Uncle Charlie in Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt, while Valli has little to do but stay tragically, enigmatically glamorous. (The most memorable performances come from Byington and Stewart, and the movie is notable for preserving one of the few appearances on film of Jack Paar, who was to imprint The Tonight Show with his particular personality in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s). It's a strange, flawed movie whose elegiac tone stays with you.

Completed in 1948 but not released until 1950. This would seem to be the kiss of death for a film as usually this means a film is a mess and the studio doesn't know what to do with it. Sometimes they redo parts of the story and sometimes they just cut their losses and release it--either way, a film that's pulled off the shelf is NOT a sure sign of a successful film! Sure, there are a few exceptions (such as the recent "Tucker and Dale Versus Evil"), but most such films are duds. Is "Walk Softly Stranger" a dud? Read on...

This is a confusing film. Now this is NOT meant as a criticism but more a reflection on the sort of character Joseph Cotten plays in this movie. You just aren't sure what sort of man he really is. The film begins with Cotten arriving in a small town. He announces that he'd lived there as a kid and has now returned but you can't get past the idea that this is a con. You doubt his motives even more when you see he's living two lives--one as an employee at the local show factory and the other as a professional gambler and thief! And, while he definitely has a hard side, he also begins dating a lady in a wheelchair (Alida Valli) who thinks no man could even want her. What gives?! A 'nice' crook with a heart of gold?! And, is he really Chris Hale? Ultimately, it turns out even he doesn't know! All this story leads to one of the best finales I've seen in a film of this era. Just stay tuned to the exciting car scene--it is simply brilliant and I don't know how they managed to make it look so real. Gripping--that's for sure.

An excellent sleeper--why did these idiots hold on to this excellent movie so long?!

This one features a typically restrained performance by Cotton, a strong depiction of his weasly partner and moral antithesis by Paul Stewart and, as always, good supporting work by the ebullient Spring Byington. The star, however, is Valli, who moves from a vulnerable cripple to a radiant smile as some kids sing a Christmas carol to her through the window of Cotton's wonderful Packard convertible. The film may end unconvincingly, as some auditors argue, but at least it ends in a minor key. The effective opening 3/4 may have earned that ending. But see it for Valli, who (as someone suggested) should have gotten an Oscar for this one.

This forgotten gem was of interest for a number of reasons.

First, it's directed by Robert Stevenson, the man responsible for a superb thriller, To the Ends of the Earth (1948) with Dick Powell in the lead. Steveson, however, has a long list of fine films to his credit, beginning (for me) with Tom Brown's Schooldays (1940), all the way to The Love Bug (1968) and Herbie Rides Again (1974) – if you like fantasy comedy...

But second, this film echoes the matching of Cotton and Valli in The Third Man (1949), arguably one of the best film-noir made (directed by Carol Reed, of course). Reading the additional information about this film, however, I learnt that it was actually made before The Third Man but keep on ice for two years.

In this narrative, however, Cotton as Chris Hale breaks the mold of the bashful, loyal and trustworthy good guy he was known for in so many previous movies. That is, while this is certainly another of the film-noir genre, it doesn't have a femme fatale: Chris Hale is the homme fatale – the man with the fatal flaw in his past, and the one that catches up with him.

In contrast, Valli as Elaine Corelli is the broken rose: a woman of substance and great beauty but, because of a tragic accident, unwilling to expose herself to potential failure again, especially in matters of the heart. When Hale turns up, however, she is drawn to him, despite her misgivings at first.

Arguably, she should have listened to her head because Hale has a hidden agenda – in fact, that's why he's in Elaine's town where her father practically owns it: Hale wants to stay hiding in plain sight, as a model citizen, because he thinks the guys he robbed a while back – gangsters who ran a casino in another state - will never find him... More fool he, because his ex-buddy turns up to ask for a handout – and so, Hale's cover is blown and it's only a matter of time before the killers follow.

What follows then are Hale's attempts to get clear of the bad guys and redeem himself with Elaine; so, I'll leave you to enjoy that denouement. When you do, watch for the great sight gag that includes the words: "Next time, go by air", a moment of levity that foreshadows an ending that is, if not entirely happy, at least shows promise of hope.

Cotton does an excellent job as a calculating, unflappable and competent con man who gradually sees the need, within himself, to change his ways; Valli once again exudes troubled emotions and repressed sexuality with great finesse; that great character actor, Paul Stewart shines as the craven Whitey Lake, Hale's buddy; and John McIntire appears, for once, as not a cop – as In Psycho (1960) - but as an office manager, Morgan. And, let's not forget Spring Byington who plays...well, Mrs Brentman/Spring Byington, the landlady.

Recommended for all, especially for film-noir fans.

Returned earlier this year to watching more classic/golden era films. Especially film noirs, mystery thrillers and silent film. There are always two common reasons for seeing any film or television series for this reviewer. One is if the premise sounds promising, 'Walk Softly Stranger' applies here. The other is if there is a talented cast, again this applies here, having seen Joseph Cotten and Spring Byington in other things and liking their work. The genre also appeals.

'Walk Softly Stranger' is another one of those recent discoveries long put in my watchlist but only got round to watching recently. It's another one that left me mostly impressed if not jumping out of my chair in rapture. For what it is, it is well done and executes almost all its components more than solidly. But it also misses out on having the extra something. Definitely recommended and another film that doesn't deserve its seldom seen status, just not quite an essential.

It is a long way from perfect. Did feel that it is melodramatically scripted at times, especially later on, and that it could have done with more momentum.

There are not an awful lot of surprise and the suspense isn't as strong in the final act. Coming off worst is the ending, which is very mawkish and completely at odds with the rest of the film (pretty much too much like it was lifted out of another).

However, what particularly makes 'Walk Softly Stranger' is the acting, which is very good. Cotten is beautifully restrained and amiable and Byington is solid support in a type of role she always played well. Best of all is poignant, sympathetic Alida Valli as the most fleshed out character that goes from one main personality to another as the character evolves seamlessly and gains our sympathy from start to finish.

It is filmed with a good sense of slick style and moody atmosphere and is crisply directed. The music and sound quality don't get over-bearing and suit the mood very well. The script is tight and gritty as ought and the story compels and has the right amount of intricacy. Some nice tension too and while the drama is rather subdued it did have me invested.

Overall, good but not great. 7/10.