MovieChat Forums > Kansas City Confidential (1952) Discussion > Definitely a classic

Definitely a classic

posted 18 years ago by AlanSquier
20 replies | jump to latest

I never thought of Kansas City as being a brutal city, but this film sure gives that imression. Coleen Gray is great in this as she was in Kiss Of Death and Nightmare Alley. And Lee Van Cleef was the usual classic villain. John Payne was no great actor, but he does well as the out of luck ex GI who finds himself framed for a robbery, and then folows the clues to prove his innocence. Definitely a great one.

I killed him for money and for a woman. I didn't get the money... and I didn't get the woman.

[–] Xcalat3 18 years ago

an overlooked classic In my opinion

I Worship The Goddess Amber Tamblyn

[–] AlanSquier 18 years ago

One thing I now cherish about the film is the cheesiness of the pulp fction of the day. This was like something out of the pages of Dime Detective, Phantom Detective, Thrilling Mystery, and those other glorious pulp fiction magazines of the day.

Where am I from, you ask? "Pomona, Glendale, ((Fullerton, La Habra, Anaheim)), whatever."

[–] Gloede_The_Saint 17 years ago

It reminded me alot of Tarantino flicks. Its like some kind of a mix between Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and classic noir. A truly superb movie!

Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle

[–] jhvaughan2 13 years ago

Please watch some more classic crime drama.

What you should be saying it that Tarantino films remind you of any number of classic crime films. He readily admits he borrows heavily from these films, but remember these films did it first.

[–] csu16387 17 years ago

I haven't seen this yet, but have heard great things about it. The Phenix City Story is the only film I've seen from director Phil Karlson. That was a great film, and I'm looking forward to catching Kansas City Confidential.

Edit: I've also seen Scandal Sheet from Karlson, and that was very good as well. Broderick Crawford is in top form in that one.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] dustinthewind25 17 years ago

Only point with which I would tend to disagree is your assertion that John Payne was no great shakes as an actor. I just watched this one and thought he was EXCELLENT.

[–] zurichpoet 16 years ago

jtyroler---interesting. Love the movie, too. Any other classics about the midwest, the rough and tumble days, you would "rec"? Or for anyone out there.... any similar momvies that are more Americana of the middle of the USA rather than coastal noir? Thanks in advance!

[–] superstitions 16 years ago

If you liked John Payne in this one you might also check out The Crooked Way (1949)another good film noir and Slightly Scarlet (1956), a rare widescreen color film noir.

As to Payne not being a great actor, I think he was actually quite good in his day. He was sort of the poor man's Robert Mitchum. Also Miracle on 34th Street clearly shows that he was also good at romantic light comedy.

Doug

[–] zurichpoet 16 years ago

Thanks for those two.

I will give them a look!

[–] jtyroler 16 years ago

Kansas City was a pretty wild city in the 1st half of the 20th century. Well, there were the mafia guys in the late 70s blowing up a few businesses to increase the amount of money they would skim from Vegas.

I used to live in an older apartment building that had been a hotel in the 20s - Al Capone supposedly had a suite on the top floor. There was the Kansas City Massacre in the early 30s, a shootout just north of KC involving Bonnie and Clyde. Tom Pendergast was the "boss" of KC until the mid to late 30s when he was convicted for tax evasion. He made sure that downtown bars were able to stay open past closing time.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] freakyfelix 16 years ago

It was pretty good up until the last 30 minutes or so, when the believability of the situation was stretched to the breaking point.
The fight scene at the end was just so-so. Actually it was pretty disappointing.
I was not a big fan of John Payne in the movie. For some reason, he had me rooting for the bad guys, who gave far better performances. Jack Elam, Lee Van Cleef and Neville Brand all were great.

[–] DrGlitterhouse 15 years ago

Captain Foster was my favorite character in the movie, although not because of anything John Payne did. People keep posting that Joe was trying to clear his name, but one of the elements that most impressed me about this movie was that Joe's purpose was to collect a share of the loot for his inconvenience. The last few minutes were just as good, if not better, than the rest of the movie.

"How could you cheat on me? I was so hot."

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

It's a fantastic movie! I'm watching it now for the first time, and I'm loving it!

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] DracTarashV 12 years ago

Concur - what an excellent film. It's arguably one of the best of its kind.

Living in the sixth dimension. Things get rough.

[–] Hey_Sweden 12 years ago

I loved the story and the cast chosen. Payne made for a good patsy. Gray was just a lovely lady.

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[–] liscarkat (19418) 4 years ago

Payne was a great actor.