Born to Kill

Born to Kill (1947)

Runtime: 92 minutes

Directed by: Robert Wise

Starring: Lawrence Tierney, Claire Trevor, Walter Slezak, Phillip Terry, Audrey Long, Elisha Cook, Jr.

From: RKO

Would you believe that this is my first film noir since Noirvember last year? That’s right, a bit under six months ago. For the number that I’ve viewed since 2014 (now at 90!), this was a grievous mistake. As there still are worthwhile movies like this in the genre to check out, those shouldn’t be viewed so infrequently.

Born to Kill (a great title; it’s based on a novel titled Deadlier than the Male, not to be confused with the 60’s British crime film) focuses on San Francisco socialite Helen who moves to Reno, Nevada to get a divorce. What misfortune then that she crosses paths with Sam Wild; he IS the type to shoot a man just to watch him die… Sam murders his dame Laury Palmer-I don’t know if that’s where Lynch got the name; it’d be great if that’s the case-and another man. Sam and Helen become pals, despite their lack of knowledge that Helen discovered the bodies of Laury and that man. 

A loud hysterical alcoholic who runs a boardinghouse that Laury lived in (what a performance from Esther Howard) hires rotund detective Walter Slezak to solve the crime. Lawrence Tierney portrayed Wilde; a shame that it was alcohol which prevented his career from matching his talent. His performance was quite memorable although arguably, Claire Trevor as Helen was the best performance—good thing, as this is an uncommon noir where the focus is on a woman. While Helen has a fiancé, what a problem for her that her sister has fallen for Sam.

The film had memorable characters-including one portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr. in a role suited for him as Sam’s buddy in a relationship that might hint at something more-and was well-directed by Robert Wise. What’s most memorable is that the movie was bold for the time, subverting several expectations and being so salacious for 1947, several locations banned it. Tierney’s legal problems at the time + a lawyer attempting to use a 12-year-old boy’s watching this movie 3 weeks beforehand as an excuse for the boy’s murder of a 7-year-old did not help its reputation.

In 2026, the film’s dark nature (even compared to other noirs) and abundance of sleazy, amoral characters plays quite well. Shoutout to the rest of the cast, including the likes of Phillip Terry & Audrey Long; they also assisted w/ making this a memorable picture.