The Naked Kiss

Released Oct 29, 1964

1h 33m

Drama

List

93%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

A former prostitute (Constance Towers) discovers that her philanthropic fiance (Michael Dante) is involved in perversion.

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Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

It's Sirk-on-a-shoestring, and twice as cynical.

May 1, 2006

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

The wounded female yin to the brute yang of Sam Fuller's other Criterion-endorsed '60s pulp masterpiece, "Shock Corridor."

Rated: A+

Nov 29, 2022

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

A white-knuckle ride into a world of lies, deceit and small town politics.

Sep 2, 2019

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

... arguably the most aggressively defiant film of his career.

Mar 25, 2011

Full Review

Christopher Long

Movie Metropolis

Like Fuller, Kelly believes in the direct approach, and a good slap can get quick results.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 26, 2011

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

uses it tabloid-sensational subject matter to probe at the country's darkest recesses

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 23, 2011

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ronald h

In spite of its sleazy title, Sam Fuller's "The Naked Kiss" is an exceptional work, and it's a must for mid-20th century film noir fans. Actually, the title comes from a line in the movie, and it's really an apt metaphor. Fuller, a Hollywood maverick, was unafraid to explore subject matter that the big studios wouldn't touch. But his films weren't just sensational; they were loaded with social criticism and insights into human nature. Constance Towers plays Kelly, a prostitute who quotes Goethe and Byron and appreciates Beethoven (Yes, suspend your disbelief). In the amazing opening scene, which is en media res, she is shown beating her pimp, taking the money he owes her, and then pulling off her wig to expose a completely bald head. We discover later what happened to her hair. Two years later, with her blonde hair grown back, she shows up in the small town of Grantville, planning to ply her trade, Her first customer is the sleazy cop Griff (Anthony Eisley), who partakes of her services but warns her not to work in his town. He recommends that she go across the river and get a job in the brothel there. Kelly has a pivotal moment after her encounter with Griff and takes a job as an aide in a home for handicapped kids. The doctors, staff, and kids all love her. But no Sam Fuller movie is going to stop there. Kelly falls in love with J.L. Grant (Michael Dante), the wealthy grandson of the town's founder, who is handsome and cultured. But it's all veneer. Kelly soon discovers that he's involved in some very distasteful activities. This is probably Fuller's weirdest film. The budget may be low and the acting, aside from Towers', may not be top notch, but the camera work is artistic and the story (Fuller also wrote and produced) is intriguing. The final act is really something. The conclusion happens rather quickly, in contrast to the long buildup. But that's a minor quibble. Enjoy this when you're in the mood for genuine noir with some actual depth and a meaningful message.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Luca D

Very good soundtrack. All of the women look stunning. The plot is really well driven and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Beautifully shot and a good thing that it's b&w for higher quality. I would definitely watch again and recommend to noir fans.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/04/21

Full Review

Audience Member

yuck 5 break points in DVD made it through #2 then jumped to the last reel just to wind it up I'm sure I missed some important plot lines but this grade B pot boiler seemed like an F to me

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yes, it's a Sam Fuller movie - bad acting, cheesy dialog, thin characters, choppy scene cuts, part schmatlz, And yet. It's open with interesting camera work, where we see only a prostitute attacking her trick with her shoes. Toward the end, it is redeemed with taking on a very taboo subject for the time - child molestation with justice being served in the end.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Its a hard hitting story but poorly executed. Confusing scenes, ham-fisted scripts. Okay but not great.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nothing rings remotely true in this outdated pulp neo-noir - not the gorgeous and ridiculously cultivated prostitute with a golden heart, not the embarrassing plot full of moralizing and certainly not the absurd ending that wants to make us feel good about the murder of a pedophile.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Samuel Fuller

Director

Constance Towers

Kelly

Anthony Eisley

Capt. Griff

Michael Dante

J.L. Grant

Virginia Grey

Candy

Patsy Kelly

Mac, Head Nurse

Show Less Cast & Crew

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Synopsis

A former prostitute (Constance Towers) discovers that her philanthropic fiance (Michael Dante) is involved in perversion.

Director: Samuel Fuller
Producer: Sam Firks, Leon Fromkess
Screenwriter: Samuel Fuller
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation, F & F Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2017
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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