Don't Bother to Knock

1952

1 hr. 16 min.

Drama

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List

100%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Pilot Jed Towers (Richard Widmark) encounters the beautiful Nell Forbes (Marilyn Monroe) while staying at a hotel in New York City. Jed pursues Nell, initially thinking she's a woman of means, but comes to learn that she is actually a babysitter when her child charge, Bunny Jones (Donna Corcoran), interrupts a conversation between the two. Soon Jed becomes worried about Nell's mental stability when it appears the woman is physically threatening Bunny.

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erroll f

An impressive early role for Marilyn Monroe who plays Nell a mentally unbalanced woman who was traumatized when her boyfriend was lost in the Pacific during WW2. Richard Widmark plays a gad about pilot who Nell believes is her lost boyfriend.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/23

Full Review

William B

It proves my point given the right script and supporting actors Marilyn was good Niagara don't bother to knock the misfits all great films rip marilyn

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/23

Full Review

j f

Marilyn Monroe is truly terrifying. Kinda reminds me of pyka.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/23

Full Review

Pavol C

A very interesting movie from Marilyn Monroe in a dramatic role. She plays a girl mentaly and emotionnaly disturbed. Her husband (Philip) who was a fighter pilot died in Pacific during the WWII, but she thinks the guy (Richard Widmark) she met in the hotel where she works as a babysitter is Philip... A movie you must see in order to discover another and unusual Monroe's performance... Un film à redécouvrir avec une Marilyn Monroe dans un rôle dramatique parfaitement interprété !!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/20/22

Full Review

david f

Marilyn Monroe plays a psycho babysitter in this film, and her performance is frighteningly convincing. The movie has a slow, creepy pace that explores the underbelly of straightlaced American Fifties society.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Atmospheric, tight drama, featuring excellent performances from a stellar cast. Widmark is solid and honest as ever, while Elisha Cook displays the nuance that have made him worth watching. Anne Bancroft is there but Marlin Monroe is quite superb. She totally convinces as the disturbed would be widow. One is left to wonder how young women's lived were destroyed simarly after the wars of the last century. Monroe fixxles with sensuality yet evokes a sense of sorrow as her fragile mental state becomes more apparent. She was a brilliant actress with an exceptional mind. She deserves to be remembered for those attributes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Roy Ward Baker

Director

Richard Widmark

Jed Towers

Marilyn Monroe

Nell Forbes

Anne Bancroft

Lyn Lesley

Donna Corcoran

Bunny Jones

Jeanne Cagney

Rochelle

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Don't Bother to Knock: Trailer 1

1:50

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A brisk 76-minute running time is all that's required for this nifty thriller to take the stage, impress the audience, and exit with style.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 30, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Were it not for Nell's breaks with reality, many of the happenings in her room could have appeared in a slapstick comedy.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 18, 2020

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Takes what could have been a lurid plot and turns it into a wickedly plotted thriller that remains an overlooked high point in Monroe's storied career.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 3, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Wacko psychological thriller.

Rated: B-

Feb 15, 2011

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

A snappy little 76-minute, black-and-white item, this film noir dared to look at the dark side of Monroe's giggly sex appeal.

Oct 10, 2008

Full Review

Susan Granger

www.susangranger.com

Rated: 3/5

May 26, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Pilot Jed Towers (Richard Widmark) encounters the beautiful Nell Forbes (Marilyn Monroe) while staying at a hotel in New York City. Jed pursues Nell, initially thinking she's a woman of means, but comes to learn that she is actually a babysitter when her child charge, Bunny Jones (Donna Corcoran), interrupts a conversation between the two. Soon Jed becomes worried about Nell's mental stability when it appears the woman is physically threatening Bunny.

Director: Roy Ward Baker
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013

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