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      Pickup on South Street

      Now Playing 1 hr. 20 min. Mystery & Thriller List
      93% 40 Reviews Tomatometer 89% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score In New York City, an insolent pickpocket, Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark), inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he targets ex-prostitute Candy (Jean Peters) and steals her wallet. Unaware that she has been making deliveries of highly classified information to the communists, Candy, who has been trailed by FBI agents for months in hopes of nabbing the spy ringleader, is sent by her ex-boyfriend, Joey (Richard Kiley), to find Skip and retrieve the valuable microfilm he now holds. Read More Read Less Now in Theaters Now Playing Buy Tickets
      Pickup on South Street

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      Critics Consensus

      Powerfully acted and satisfyingly dark, Pickup on South Street is a Cold War noir that moves confidently to the rhythm of city street life.

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      Audience Reviews

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      James B Cold War Noir. Too bad it wasn't directed by Hitchcock or it could've become a classic. The premise is brilliant and the style is classic noir. I tried to not let the honor-among-thieves subplot bother me. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review nick s Well acted and good camera work. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review acsdoug D The story is nothing special really, but Samuel Fuller's direction is flawless, a young Rickard Widmark playing the tough guy is always a treat. and I was very impressed with Jean Peters performance. She achieved the perfect balance between hard boiled and vulnerable. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/23 Full Review Erica K "Pickup on South Street" is considered one of the best film noirs and showcases Sam Fuller's controlled direction. The film revolves around a pickpocket, played by Richard Widmark, who steals microfilm intended for communist spies, leading to a series of events involving a woman, Jean Peters, and a stool pigeon, Thelma Ritter. While the love story feels rushed and somewhat unbelievable, Richard Widmark delivers an excellent performance, and Thelma Ritter's portrayal adds unexpected emotional depth to the film, particularly in her memorable final scene. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/23 Full Review Ted B 3.5 stars; An excellent film noir from 1953. Richard Widmark plays a pickpocket who gets a lot more than he bargained for when he picks the purse of Jean Peters, who plays a gopher for a con man played by Richard Kiley. Rounding out an all star cast from that era is Thelma Ritter who plays a snitch that fingers the con man, not knowing what's really going on with him. She pays the ultimate price in the end. If you enjoy film noir that reflects the seamy side of NYC of the 50's, then this is your flick!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review Deke P It's good. Others consider it a classic. Great cast. Widmark playing the creep, who is finally ok, and gets the girl... Peters. Thelma great as herself. Never heardo til saw on The Movies Channel, 2-19-23. Giving it 3 1/2 RT stars. Listen to my brief Voice Memo note. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Pickup on South Street

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      Critics Reviews

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      J. Hoberman The New York Review of Books Insanely slangy, deliriously hard-boiled noir... Mar 8, 2019 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune While applauding the patriotism of his low-lifes, Fuller powerfully evokes a '50s world of brutality, compromise and redemption. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 5, 2019 Full Review Wendy Ide Times (UK) This atmospheric Cold War crime picture is a class act. Rated: 4/5 Aug 6, 2015 Full Review Fedor Tot Vague Visages That, of course, doesn’t mean urban anxiety and corruption aren’t present in LA noir, but there remains something specifically and inherently New York about Fuller’s masterful Pickup on South Street... Jun 13, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film It remains a staple of Fuller’s masterful storytelling set in the city he once prowled as a beat reporter. Feb 28, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review A film that spits in the face of patriotism in favor of human survival. Rated: 4/4 Mar 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In New York City, an insolent pickpocket, Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark), inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he targets ex-prostitute Candy (Jean Peters) and steals her wallet. Unaware that she has been making deliveries of highly classified information to the communists, Candy, who has been trailed by FBI agents for months in hopes of nabbing the spy ringleader, is sent by her ex-boyfriend, Joey (Richard Kiley), to find Skip and retrieve the valuable microfilm he now holds.
      Director
      Samuel Fuller
      Screenwriter
      Samuel Fuller, Dwight Taylor
      Distributor
      20th Century Fox
      Production Co
      Twentieth Century Fox
      Genre
      Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jun 17, 1953, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      Feb 17, 2004
      Sound Mix
      Mono
      Aspect Ratio
      35mm