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Pickup on South Street

Play trailer Poster for Pickup on South Street Released Jun 17, 1953 1h 20m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In New York City, an insolent pickpocket, Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark), inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he targets ex-prostitute Candy (Jean Peters) and steals her wallet. Unaware that she has been making deliveries of highly classified information to the communists, Candy, who has been trailed by FBI agents for months in hopes of nabbing the spy ringleader, is sent by her ex-boyfriend, Joey (Richard Kiley), to find Skip and retrieve the valuable microfilm he now holds.
Pickup on South Street

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Powerfully acted and satisfyingly dark, Pickup on South Street is a Cold War noir that moves confidently to the rhythm of city street life.

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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman The New York Review of Books Insanely slangy, deliriously hard-boiled noir... Mar 8, 2019 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune While applauding the patriotism of his low-lifes, Fuller powerfully evokes a '50s world of brutality, compromise and redemption. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 5, 2019 Full Review Wendy Ide Times (UK) This atmospheric Cold War crime picture is a class act. Rated: 4/5 Aug 6, 2015 Full Review Fedor Tot Vague Visages That, of course, doesn’t mean urban anxiety and corruption aren’t present in LA noir, but there remains something specifically and inherently New York about Fuller’s masterful Pickup on South Street... Jun 13, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film It remains a staple of Fuller’s masterful storytelling set in the city he once prowled as a beat reporter. Feb 28, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review A film that spits in the face of patriotism in favor of human survival. Rated: 4/4 Mar 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (257) audience reviews
James B Cold War Noir. Too bad it wasn't directed by Hitchcock or it could've become a classic. The premise is brilliant and the style is classic noir. I tried to not let the honor-among-thieves subplot bother me. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review nick s Well acted and good camera work. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review acsdoug D The story is nothing special really, but Samuel Fuller's direction is flawless, a young Rickard Widmark playing the tough guy is always a treat. and I was very impressed with Jean Peters performance. She achieved the perfect balance between hard boiled and vulnerable. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/23 Full Review Erica K "Pickup on South Street" is considered one of the best film noirs and showcases Sam Fuller's controlled direction. The film revolves around a pickpocket, played by Richard Widmark, who steals microfilm intended for communist spies, leading to a series of events involving a woman, Jean Peters, and a stool pigeon, Thelma Ritter. While the love story feels rushed and somewhat unbelievable, Richard Widmark delivers an excellent performance, and Thelma Ritter's portrayal adds unexpected emotional depth to the film, particularly in her memorable final scene. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/23 Full Review Ted B 3.5 stars; An excellent film noir from 1953. Richard Widmark plays a pickpocket who gets a lot more than he bargained for when he picks the purse of Jean Peters, who plays a gopher for a con man played by Richard Kiley. Rounding out an all star cast from that era is Thelma Ritter who plays a snitch that fingers the con man, not knowing what's really going on with him. She pays the ultimate price in the end. If you enjoy film noir that reflects the seamy side of NYC of the 50's, then this is your flick!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review Deke P It's good. Others consider it a classic. Great cast. Widmark playing the creep, who is finally ok, and gets the girl... Peters. Thelma great as herself. Never heardo til saw on The Movies Channel, 2-19-23. Giving it 3 1/2 RT stars. Listen to my brief Voice Memo note. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Pickup on South Street

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Pickup on South Street

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Movie Info

Synopsis In New York City, an insolent pickpocket, Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark), inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he targets ex-prostitute Candy (Jean Peters) and steals her wallet. Unaware that she has been making deliveries of highly classified information to the communists, Candy, who has been trailed by FBI agents for months in hopes of nabbing the spy ringleader, is sent by her ex-boyfriend, Joey (Richard Kiley), to find Skip and retrieve the valuable microfilm he now holds.
Director
Samuel Fuller
Producer
Jules Schermer
Screenwriter
Samuel Fuller, Dwight Taylor
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 17, 1953, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 17, 2004
Runtime
1h 20m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm