NO WAY OUT

US, 1950, 106 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Linda Darnell, Stephen Mc Nally.
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

No Way Out was one of the first major Hollywood films on racial issues. It was made as late as 1949/50.

It was written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, prominent Hollywood producer, writer and director who at this period won Oscars for his films A Letter to Three Wives and All About Eve. Sidney Poitier was at the beginning of his career. Richard Widmark, also in the early years of his career plays yet another psychopathic killer. The film is set in the South, mirrors the racial tensions of the period. It seems
somewhat out of date now - and is an in indication of how things changed in the second half of the 20th century.

1. Impact of the drama? In its time? Now? A piece of Americana on race issues?

2. Black and white photography, studio sets? The strong cast? Joseph L. Mankiewicz and his reputation for film making, for the comments in his films on American society and values?

3. The title, the reference to Dr Brooks, race issues and tension in the United States?

4. The atmosphere of the hospital and the hospital wards, police precincts, authentic atmosphere of the south?

5. The film as a crime melodrama? Police, killers, hospital deadlines? The operation Racial antagonism?

6. Sidney Poitier as Dr Brooks: screen presence and personality, the young graduate, his relationship with the other doctors, the chief? His skill at his work? The congratulations on his successful operation? His risk in the diagnosis? The relationship with the police? The antagonism with Ray, the decision, the diagnosis? Hospital criticism, medical criticism, racism? The police, and their judgements? Clashes, the charge, the death, the need for the autopsy for proof? Dr Brooks and his continued plea? His visit to Ray's wife, concern, discussions? The various ploys used to get the consent for the autopsy? The autopsy itself, the, verdict? The wife's help? The build-up of tension, the appointment, Ray's escape, the danger? The confrontation, Dr Brooks and his restraining his violence, not killing Ray? A man of integrity?

6. The contrast with Richard Widmark as Ray, his relationship with his brothers, snarling, racist, his injuries? His brother, the operation, death? The question of handcuffs? His relationship with his wife, his attitudes towards her? His mute brother and his listening in? The doctor and the discussion about proofs of the diagnosis, the death? His opposing the autopsy? The threats to his own life, the bleeding? going to the house, the confrontation, the fight, the injury? The defiance of Dr Brooks? His being allowed to live?

7. Linda Darnell as the wife, in the slums, the background of the marriage? Her love for her husband, the clash? The visit, talk. trying to change his attitude? Her attitude towards Dr Brooks? The help? Warning the police? Participation in the climax?

8. The Doctor-in-chief, a man of integrity, attitudes towards racism, supporting Dr Brook's decision, the work of the staff, the danger, the end?

9. The deaf brother, his presence in the hospital ward, his ability to read lips, knowing where Dr Brooks was to go, giving the information, loyalty to his brother?

10. The picture of the police, the investigations, the reactions, collaboration with the hospital staff, with Dr Brooks? With the chief doctor? The background of the hospital, the hospital staff and their jobs?

11. A film of 1950, the echoes of racism, the mirror of the past? The film and its time? In the perspectives of later decades?