Look at that lighting, that blocking, that camerawork--this is the mark of great filmmaking, darlings, and this shot is from a little-known RKO thriller that deserves more recognition. The film is called "The Window;" it was shot in 1947 but released in 1949. Pictured are child star Bobby Driscoll, who won a Juvenile Oscar for his performance, and an actress we all love, Ruth Roman, young, and in one of her sinister roles.
Ah, the tragedy of Bobby, whose body was found amidst a pile of rubble in the East Village on March 30, 1968. Talk about Fantine. I don't think his body was identified for a long time. The body, I believe was first interred in an unmarked, or Potter's, grave.
"The Window" was Bobby's golden glory. Directed by Ted Tetzltaff, who should have received more recognition after the superb job he did on this film, the story is based on Cornell Woolrich's "The Boy Cried Murder," a variation on "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
Tommy Woodry (Driscoll) lives with his working parents (Arthur Kennedy and Barbara Hale) in a Lower East Side tenement apartment in the late 1940's. Upstairs above live Joe and Jean Kellerson (Paul Stewart and Ruth Roman) who, if you met them in the hall, would appear to be lovely people, but in reality, are nothing but a pair of grifters who are not above committing murder, and who would do Sante and Kenneth Kimes proud.
Murder is what sets the film in motion. Before there was air conditioning, or maybe even window fans, people in the Summer used to sleep out on their fire escapes. Which is what Tommy Woodry does. Much to his misfortune, he awakens to a light and noise coming from the Kellesons' apartment above. He sneaks a peak and sees Mrs. Kellerson, all dolled up like a prostitute, which she probably is, with her husband's approval--pretty heady stuff for the 1940s--try to sneak money from a sailor whom she has gotten drunk. The sailor awakens, realizes what is happening, and attacks Mr. Kellerson, as his wife grabs a pair of scissors, stabbing the sailor in the back, killing him.
One can almost guess what happens next. Tommy tells his parents, they do not believe him, the Kellersons get wind of it, and next thing they are after him. To reveal more would ruin the film, but the performances are all award caliber, and it is a shame Stewart and Roman were not recognized for their work here.
But the shot above carries a warning. Even if you are not a nine-year old boy, but you see a young Ruth Roman standing on your outside apartment fire escape looking in at you, don't hesitate--RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Head for the hills, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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