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The Sniper (1952 film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Sniper | |
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| Directed by | Edward Dmytryk |
| Produced by | Stanley Kramer |
| Written by | Edna Anhalt Edward Anhalt (story) Harry Brown |
| Starring | Adolphe Menjou Arthur Franz Gerald Mohr |
| Music by | George Antheil |
| Cinematography | Burnett Guffey |
| Editing by | Aaron Stell |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 9, 1952 (U.S. release) |
| Running time | 87 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Sniper is a 1952 black-and-white B-movie. The film, considered film noir, was directed by Edward Dmytryk based on the story by Edna and Edward Anhalt. The film marks Dmytryk's return from the blacklist to directing from political exile in England and a jail term in the U.S.
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A San Francisco delivery man, Eddie Miller, struggles with his hatred of women. He's especially bothered by seeing women with their lovers. Miller knows he's sick, and out of despair, he self-inflicts burns on his right hand by holding it over a stove. The doctor treating the wound in an emergency room suspects he might need psychological help, but then gets too busy to follow through. Miller starts a killing spree as a sniper by shooting women from far distances. In an attempt to get caught, he writes anonymous letters to the police begging them to stop him. As the killings continue, a psychologist has the keys (early criminal profiling techniques) to finding the killer. The film is unusual in that its ending is completely non-violent, despite its genre and expectations raised throughout.
Reviews of the film are mostly positive. Channel 4's review of the film states: "A little dated now, especially the nervous documentary-style camera work which soon outstays its welcome, The Sniper's thriller mechanics nevertheless work efficiently, while Franz's psycho is uncannily convincing."
The film was nominated for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story at the 1953 Academy Awards.
Marie Windsor plays the sniper's first victim, Marlo Dwyer as the second. An uncredited Wally Cox plays a bit part as a restaurant dishwasher. An uncredited Charles Laneplays a drunk in a bar.
- Adolphe Menjou as Police Lt. Frank Kafka
- Arthur Franz as Eddie Miller
- Gerald Mohr as Police Sgt. Joe Ferris
- Marie Windsor as Jean Darr
- Frank Faylen as Police Insp. Anderson
- Richard Kiley as Dr. James G. Kent
- Marlo Dwyer as May Nelson