Road House

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Road House

1948

1h 35m

Crime

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

At a seedy nightclub and bowling alley near the Canadian border, owner Jefty Robbins (Richard Widmark) is in love with his new cabaret singer, Lily Stevens (Ida Lupino), who only has eyes for Jefty's best friend, bar manager Pete Morgan (Cornel Wilde). Although he tries to keep his distance, Pete soon falls for Lily's charms. But when the couple tries to run away together, Jefty and jealous cashier Susie Smith (Celeste Holm) conspire to frame them for a crime they didn't commit.

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This lurid 1948 melodrama by Jean Negulesco has built up a considerable underground reputation.

Apr 30, 2012

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Framed within a realistically intimate roadhouse setting, yarn reconstructs the triangle with an arrestingly psychotic twist supplied by Richard Widmark.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

A.H. Weiler

New York Times

List first the fact that Widmark, though he stands in danger of being typed as the screen's prime psychotic, does an excellent job (complete with chilling laughter).

Rated: 4/5

Aug 8, 2006

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A minor work of film noir, lacking the pulse to sustain its predictable melodrama about jealousy, blackmail and murder. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Nell Dodson Russell

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Richard Widmark being nasty, Ida Lupino being nice on the eyes and Cornel Wilde -- WOW!

Jan 14, 2022

Full Review

Elsa Branden

Photoplay

Whatever else is wrong with this movie, there's plenty of action.

Rated: 0/3

Aug 20, 2021

Full Review

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Jean-Michel C

A perfect jewel. A work of art. Acting at its finest, at its best, filming is impeccable, what else can you ask for? As for pretending that Lupino can't sing, so much for those who pretend they can listen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

nick s

Colourful characters and a curious, entertaining drama. The lead actors do a great job.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

william d

Widmark and Lupino are terrific in this above average, if a bit contrived, noir.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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jason m

The cast is in top form and the production design is a knockout. That's a place I'd really love to go on vacay!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Widmark with his psychotic Kiss Of Death laugh. Lupino is brilliant and tough as nails. Wilde, Macho and level headed throughout. Celeste Holm playing her usual congenial self. Outstanding Film Noir!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

andy f

A breathtaking and dazzling film, with amazing performances from Ida Lupino and a very young Richard Widmark. Lupino is just amazing as the cigarette smoking, bourbon swilling moody chanteuse. The film is beautifully set and the plot develops beautifully towards a thrilling climax.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Jean Negulesco

Director

Ida Lupino

Lily Stevens

Cornel Wilde

Pete Morgan

Richard Widmark

Jefferson T. "Jefty" Robbins

Celeste Holm

Susie Smith

O.Z. Whitehead

Arthur

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Synopsis

At a seedy nightclub and bowling alley near the Canadian border, owner Jefty Robbins (Richard Widmark) is in love with his new cabaret singer, Lily Stevens (Ida Lupino), who only has eyes for Jefty's best friend, bar manager Pete Morgan (Cornel Wilde). Although he tries to keep his distance, Pete soon falls for Lily's charms. But when the couple tries to run away together, Jefty and jealous cashier Susie Smith (Celeste Holm) conspire to frame them for a crime they didn't commit.

Director: Jean Negulesco
Producer: Edward Chodorov
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Sep 2, 2008
Runtime: 1h 35m