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The Window

Play trailer Poster for The Window Released Aug 6, 1949 1h 13m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
When young Tommy (Bobby Driscoll) sneaks out of his bedroom and onto the fire escape of his tenement building, he sees two neighbors, Joe (Paul Stewart) and Jean Kellerson (Ruth Roman), murder a sailor (Richard Benedict). Tommy, who has been reprimanded before by his parents for telling phony stories, informs his mother (Barbara Hale) of the crime, but she does not believe him. After his mother leaves to attend to a sick relative, Tommy worries that the Kellersons will try to kill him, too.
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The Window

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press The Window again proves that some of the best Hollywood films are the less costly. It has no star names and no "production values," but it holds more interest than many expensive films. Jul 25, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...compelling subject matter that’s employed to mostly engaging and entertaining effect by Tetzlaff... Rated: 3/4 Nov 11, 2022 Full Review Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Ted Tetzlaff’s snappy thriller—adapted from the Cornell Woolrich short story “The Boy Cried Wolf”—straddles the rarely mapped line between Aesop’s Fable and film noir. Rated: 3/4 Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder The Window isn't overly long, but every minute of it keeps your attention riveted to the screen. Jan 14, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A nifty thriller. Rated: 3/4 Oct 2, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 11, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ward g Quite a good thriller! Very well acted with mostly no big name actors. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/24 Full Review deke p interesting plot. Good cast. Seen it on tv a couple of times, & today 7.1.21 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The worst parents on the planet have the most linear thinking child ever. This overrated clunker makes Home Alone look like Citizen Kane. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Ken R Writer Cornel Woolrich (Rear Window) set the pages of his book alight with fear with this taut little story of a boy being hunted by murderers. Screenwriter Mel Dinelli then sets the screen ablaze with his suspenseful adaptation of this near one-of-a-kind noir tale. From seeing it as a kid to revisiting it years later it has held up very well indeed. Cameraman turned director Ted Tetzlaff and his cinematographer Robert De Grasse, bring such a classic shadowy style to this thriller it looks as if they had double its budget. The impressive cast do wonders with their roles proving their worth for many films to follow but young Bobby Driscoll, well deserved his hard-earned special Oscar for a stand out performance, one he may never have gotten at Disney. Moody black and white lighting and eerie locations bring a special look and feel to this must-see - late forties slice of life drama – highlighting the plight of those living among poverty in post war lower east side NY. Fast moving dramatic situations and slick award-winning editing, lift this support film into ‘A' grade territory. Beats hands down many big-budget CGI modern productions with its imaginative and hard-working production team. Well received in its day but little known due to RKO's demise a few years later. The Warner Archive DVD release features crystal clear image and sound although some minor marks show up momentarily along the way. Good value for those who know how to enjoy classic movie-making of the best kind. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/24/20 Full Review Audience Member If you enjoy this genre, this is a must watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member A 78-minute gem about a boy who's cried wolf so often his parents don't believe him when he witnesses a murder. Child actor Bobby Driscoll excels. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Window

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Cast & Crew

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Ted Tetzlaff

Director

Bobby Driscoll

Tommy Woodry

Barbara Hale

Mrs. Mary Woodry

Arthur Kennedy

Mr. Ed Woodry

Paul Stewart

Joe Kellerson

Ruth Roman

Mrs. Jean Kellerson

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The Window

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Movie Info

Synopsis When young Tommy (Bobby Driscoll) sneaks out of his bedroom and onto the fire escape of his tenement building, he sees two neighbors, Joe (Paul Stewart) and Jean Kellerson (Ruth Roman), murder a sailor (Richard Benedict). Tommy, who has been reprimanded before by his parents for telling phony stories, informs his mother (Barbara Hale) of the crime, but she does not believe him. After his mother leaves to attend to a sick relative, Tommy worries that the Kellersons will try to kill him, too.
Director
Ted Tetzlaff
Producer
Frederic Ullman Jr., Dore Schary
Screenwriter
Cornell Woolrich
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 6, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 13m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
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