Tuesday's Forgotten Films: No Way Out Starring Sidney Portier and Richard Widmark

This 1950 film noir was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and starred Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell, Stephen McNally, and Sidney Poitier. It concerns the theme of racism where Widmark plays a racist, two-bit hood and Portier is the young doctor who treats his gunshot wound sustained during his arrest. Portier also treats Widmark's brother who then dies during the spinal tap procedure. Of course, the hot-headed Widmark wrongly claims Portier killed his brother. The only way Portier can clear his name is through an autopsy which Widmark as the next-of-kin refuses to give permission to perform. Darnell plays the dead brothers' ex who Portier and McNally (Portier's boss) appeal to for her assistance. Parts of the movie feel dated like the riot scenes. But the acting is first rate, and I liked the tension generated. The ugly N-word gets tossed around, but I suppose it's necessary in Widmark's dialogue for this type of movie. Darnell and especially Sidney Portier are the two dramatic standouts, in my opinion. IMDb.com gives this film 7.4/10.0, and I'd go along with the high mark.