This Noir drama starts off brilliantly in a crowded subway car. The camera focus is on four characters, each oblivious to the others intent, but all actors in the same drama. Three men are watching an attractive girl in a white dress, somewhat provocatively, when one of them steps forward moving directly in front, practically in physical contact. The other two men look particularly miffed at this gesture, but the girl seems to be enjoying herself. The assertive gentleman now pretends to be reading a newspaper as he checks out the girl who pretends not to notice him pretending. They are in the same zone as his hand gently explores her purse, reaches in and retrieves a small envelope. When the train stops, the man immediately leaves and the girl, looking like she just had some good sex, remains unaware that she's been duped. (**Potential Spoilers ahead**) As it turns out, Candy was being used as a courier for her ex boyfriend Joey, a traitor exchanging U.S. secrets to the Commies for pay. Candy is unaware of the details, but remembers the pickpocket for obvious reasons. She locates him through Mo, an older women that knows all the little criminals, and peddles information in exchange for pay. This leads her to Skip, a 3-strike loser who seems addicted to his art. When he discovers Candy searching his little bungalow on the docks, he thinks she's a knockout and proves it. After this little exchange, Candy's in love, but Skip still wants to exchange the film for pay, even after becoming aware of the communist plot. Mo warns that even crooks must draw a line somewhere and this line will resonate with him only after tragedy. With PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET Sam Fuller has put together an "in your face" noir thriller that is extremely gripping and contains an amazing performance by Thelma Ritter as "Mo". The scene where she is confronted by Joey is heartbreaking and frightfully real.
Review of Pickup on South Street
