This foreign title for” NO WAY OUT” is “RAY OF LIGHT”, possibly a more positive title for this memorable film which was new to me .
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier, in his screen debut, plays Dr. Luther Brooks, the first African-American intern at a city Hospital.
Brooks is mentored by Dr.Wharton (Stephen McNally in a rare good guy role).
Stephen McNally
Luther is assigned to the hospital’s prison ward where two injured brothers are brought after an attempted robbery. Richard Widmark is Ray and Dick Paxton is Johnny . Both have been shot in the leg by the police.
Despite what looks like minor injuries, Luther realises that Johnny may have a possible brain tumour. He does a spinal tap and Johnny dies during the procedure- all the while Ray is watching from the bed next to him.
Dr. Wharton can’t say, without an autopsy, what the cause of death was. Ray is consumed with hatred for Luther and plans to seek revenge. Even when an autopsy proves the brother did have a tumour, Ray still blames Luther.
Linda Darnell has a pivotal role as Edie, the ex wife of Widmark’s brother. Edie is the one who is able to change her bigoted views eventually. Surely one of Linda’s best roles. Edie is from the same slum neighbourhood as Ray. She is a car-hop at a drive-in and is full of bitterness at life in general and her inability to improve her situation.
Both Linda and Richard Widmark should have got Oscar nominations. Richard chews the scenery as only he can.
A fine start to Sidney Poitier’s career as his character tackles the ugly racism of the time.
Luther treats Ray’s brother.
Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell.
Ray persuades Edie to help him in his revenge against the doctor whom he believes killed his brother.He plans an attack on the black section of town.
The subsequent battle in the junk yard is dramatically filmed.
Ray corners Luther but Edie prevents him shooting Luther. Ray himself is shot.
Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell, Sidney Poitier.
Using Ray’s gun and Edie’s scarf as a tourniquet, Luther stops the bleeding. His final words to Ray end the film, “Don’t cry, white boy. You’re gonna live.”
As I write this, I’ve just read that Sidney Poitier is 92 today. A fine actor with a landmark list of films.
Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell, Stephen McNally.
“THE HATE IS BLIND.”
Vienna's Classic Hollywood
Poitier has a fine film legacy and, for many of us, it started with this picture. A fine article on a movie that still has power.
It took me till 2019 to see this film. Never ceases to amaze me that after decades of film viewing there are still titles out there waiting for me to find them! Of course Hollywood churned out thousands in the three decades I follow.
Screen debut also for Ossie Davis, and an early role for Ruby Dee.
Don’t think I’ve seen a longer list of “uncredited” actors on IMDB.
Yes, I should have mentioned Ossie and Ruby.