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10 Forgotten 1950s Thrillers with Legendary Stars That Got Buried

Old School Movies

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The 1950s weren’t just about glamorous musicals and family films—they also produced some dark, thrilling movies starring Hollywood legends that, for one reason or another, faded into obscurity.

If you love classic Hollywood, forgotten gems, and cinematic history, this list is your guide to thrilling movies that time almost forgot.

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20 Comments

@erezbar6543 8 months ago

The Big Heat is a pure masterpiece.

@michelleyoung731 2 weeks ago

Stanwyck is my all time favorite actress. She's so dynamic, so raw in her performances. Also one of the most beautiful actresses of all time.

@richardvickrey4786 7 months ago

Touch of Evil, Kiss Me Deadly & The Big Heat are the 3 BEST Noir movies in this presentation.

@mphrdldn 3 months ago

There is a Criterion version of Night and the City that contains special features about the two versions of the film, Dassin vs the blacklist in the form of two interviews, one for French television. I also found the British version on YouTube recently. It’s interesting how different it is: longer, different music and how that was used in the film.

@kenpeters3082 8 months ago

Jean Peters is only mentioned, but her performance in "Pickup" is awesome. She is SO sexy! Greatly underrated...

@Mworr-i6t 8 months ago (edited)

Great list. Ive seen them all. My two favourites remain the Big Heat and Sudden Fear. Joan earned that 3rd Oscar nomination for her taught performance.

This needs a Part II follow up to include Sudden Violence( 51 )and The Sniper (52).

@Firecracker-v-11 8 months ago

A Touch Of Evil is a masterpiece.

@mphrdldn 3 months ago

Night and the City was filmed in London. The studio head sent Dassin there to avoid the blacklist. Dassin never returned.

@MK-hh1vo 8 months ago

There should be a numbered list of these films in the description or pinned in the comments.

@tomasdossantos4714 3 weeks ago

Now afther 1 month, I have seen 1) Sudden Fear (very recommended), 2) Night and the City (+ -), 3) Touch of Evil, 4) The Big Heat, 5) Pickup on South Street, 6) The Narrow Margin, and 7) Kiss me deadly. A significant advance.

@mphrdldn 3 months ago

The Narrow Margin showed Charles McGraw had range. Costar Marie Windsor later became friendly with McGraw and his wife and family.

@breizhpunishers29 8 months ago

I love our lists, however sometimes there are too many spoilers. Also, a title or an original poster would be great to separate each films on the list.

@tomasdossantos4714 1 month ago

I have seen 1) Sudden Fear (very recommended), 2) Night and the City (+ -), and 3) Touch of Evil. And since THe Big Heat appears everywhere, I am just watching it after writting this.

@lam6572 7 months ago (edited)

-The Blue Gardenia, 1953
- Sudden Fear, 1952
- The Big Heat, 1953
- Pickup On South Street, 1953 (Thelma Ritter & Jean Peter’s best performances)
- Clash by Night, 1952
- Night and the City, 1950
- The Narrow Margin, 1952
- The Prowler, 1951
- Kiss Me Deadly, 1955
- Touch of Evil, 1958

Yes, the video is a mish mash of film clips…Still, the video’s tribute to these film noire classics is worthwhile. .