Mark Turner Marilyn Monroe is considered an iconic representation of the Hollywood female star. Her looks still inspire millions who adore her. Her breathless dialogue is mimicked to the point it is recognizable. The term glamour is still associated with her. But few look back further than those major performances she left for us to view. Not so with the release of DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK.This is Monroe's first major role, the first film where she had a lead worth noting. She certainly had starring roles in previous films but this was the first to place her center stage in the lead role. Film historians consider her performance here one to back up the claim that she was a talent that deserved more than she received.Monroe stars as Nell Forbes, a young woman whose uncle Eddie (Elisha Cook Jr.) works as an elevator operator in a posh New York City hotel. Peter and Ruth Jones' (Jim Backus and Lurene Tuttle) are in town for him to receive an award at a dinner in the hotel that night and have brought along their young daughter Bunny (Donna Corcoran). Eddie has assured them that Nell is the perfect woman for the job and soon they're introduced and the pair go off to their dinner.While this is transpiring we also meet Jed Towers (Richard Widmark) and Lyn Lesley (Anne Bancroft). Lyn is a singer in the lounge at the same hotel and has just broken off her relationship with Jed, a man who comes to town periodically but offers her no hope of a future together. Feeling that Jed has no sense of emotion deep inside Lyn tells him her issues and he leaves, going up to his room.That room is right across the way from the room Nell is in. Looking across the way Jed sees her. Nell has now displayed a different side of herself to us the viewers. She begins by eating chocolates the Jones' have left behind. She puts on a nightgown of Ruth's as well as stocking and her jewelry. Jed assumes she's in her room and calls her to flirt, eventually getting himself an invite to come over.This rebound date for Jed turns out to be more than he expected. While things seem to move along smoothly at first he soon learns the truth about Nell. At the same time we begin to learn more about her as well, including the fact that she lost the love of her life and has attempted suicide. The question rises what will she do here in this situation? Is Bunny safe in her care? Will she do harm to Jed?The movie move along at a steady pace and holds your interest from start to finish. I wasn't sure in reading the synopsis that this would be the case or not. Fortunately it does so and does it well. Even better than that we're presented with two main characters that we have no reason to sympathize with, two characters that at first seem to earn our disdain only to learn, as they do, that there is more going on beneath their shells than we expected.I've never been a fan of Monroe and honestly this film didn't make me one. I've always found her breathless way of speaking to be annoying and it can be that way at times here in this film. But she does hold her own and shows a certain amount of allure that would go on to make her a huge success. Widmark by this time had already made his mark as a star. He could have hogged the camera for himself but his performance here shows he was willing to provide an assist to someone new, both in Monroe and Bancroft's performances. Bancroft's role here isn't at the heart of things but she does provide a character that helps to bring out the best in Widmark's.Twilight Time is releasing the film as they do with all of their titles, in a great looking hi def 1080p presentation and limiting the release to just 3,000 copies. This time around they've included several great extras to be enjoyed including an isolated music track, a featurette called MARILYN MONROE: THE MORTAL GODDESS, another featurette RICHARD WIDMARK: STRENGTH OF CHARACTERS and the original theatrical trailer. If you're a Monroe or Widmark fan make sure you order this today. With limited copies available they could be gone soon.

Paul Fairbanks 1952 was just before Marilyn became Marilyn and 10 short years before her death. Look at her character here and look at her performance. She plays a psychopath. brilliantly. Look into her eyes and tell me if she's not totally there. Dangerous and tender. Thorough and insane. I know I had seen this film before but the truth is I didn't remember. Another plus is an early glimpse at the wonderful Anne Bancroft, billed above Marilyn here. For film buffs this movie is a total must.

j-maloney13 Don't Bother to Knock is a solid film despite it being a slower film. Marilyn Monroe was terrific, playing an innocent, lonely girl who quickly turns into the maniac that she is. We get to see just how good of an actor she really was, instead of the sex symbol she was forced to be. Richard Widmark plays a relatively round character as a pilot, who starts out as a man without a heart but proves himself and his girlfriend that he does indeed care about others. The film was not a masterpiece in my eyes by any means, but for a 70 minute film, it was a memorable experience to see Monroe act with such strong emotion.Roy Ward Baker seemed to enjoy using establishing shots in this film, with the over the shoulder shot being used quite often when characters were having a discussion. Low-key lighting also added to the suspense, especially in the little girls room when Monroe was having her most sinister moments. He utilized medium close shots for her most vulnerable moments, such as the end when the realization is setting it. The editing definitely contributed in making it a solid experience, but Monroe is what really made the film work.

paulyboy-62474 This is the perfect example of the roles Marilyn Monroe got herself or that Hollywood gave her. Its a weird film. Even the credits are done differently. Marilyn of course is the crazy, animated, beautiful blonde. She almost seems like a robot sometimes. The film is direct and then seems to get confusing or loses track of itself. I like how it looks at a deeper side and almost realistic side of Marilyn. She relates to Nell and I think that is why she plays her so well. Nell is a dark character and Marilyn was too. I like the Its was an interesting film to watch. Definitely worth another watch to pick up on things I missed.