The Tattooed Stranger
The Tattooed Stranger is a 1950 American crime film noir shot on location in New York City, directed by Edward Montagne, and starring John Miles, Patricia Barry (listed as Patricia White in the credits), Walter Kinsella and Frank Tweddell. The picture was one of the first films featuring Jack Lord, who went on to star in the television series Hawaii Five-O.[2] It was John Miles' final film appearance.
| The Tattooed Stranger | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edward Montagne |
| Produced by | Jay Bonafield |
| Screenplay by | Philip H. Reisman Jr. |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Alan Shulman |
| Cinematography | William O. Steiner |
| Edited by | David Cooper |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date | |
Running time | 64 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Rookie Police Detective Tobin (John Miles) leads the investigation of a series of brutal murders, starting with that of an unidentified woman with a tattoo on her wrist. He seeks the help of a Dr. Mahan, a botanist, to identify the blades of grass in the car in which the tattooed woman's corpse was found, and is surprised to learn that Mahan is a woman.
The detectives' investigations take them on location shots, with views that are now gone after changes in city development. There are views of elevated railroads, the Bowery when it was a derelict district, and the dockside sections near the lower Manhattan bridges. Following the lead of a particular grass specimen, Tobin and Mahan go to Fort Tryon Park, the George Washington Bridge visible in the background.
The investigation after the murder of a tattooist leads investigators to several forensic clues, which lead Tobin and Mahan to "Green Glades" cemetery in the Bronx.
Cast
- John Miles as Detective Tobin
- Patricia Barry as Dr. Mary Mahan
- Walter Kinsella as Lieutenant Corrigan
- Frank Tweddell as Captain Lundquist
- Rod McLennan as Captain Gavin
- Henry Lasko as Joe Canko
- Arthur L. Jarrett as Johnny Marseille
- Jim Boles as Fisher
- William Gibberson as Aberfoyle
- Jack Lord as Det. Deke Del Vecchio
Reception
The New York Times wrote, "The thrills are few and far between in this manhunt but its authenticity is obvious."[3]
References
- "The Tattooed Stranger: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- The Tattooed Stranger at the American Film Institute Catalog
- "THE SCREEN: TWO NEW FILMS ON THE SCENE; Kirk Douglas Seen as 'Young Man With a Horn,' New Bill at Radio City Music Hall". The New York Times. 1950-02-10. Retrieved 2015-04-08.