♦Noir Classics♦ 'The Night Runner' (1957) Ray Danton, Colleen Miller

1957 | Approved | Drama, Film-Noir, Thriller | April 2, 1957 (USA)
Stars: Ray Danton • Colleen Miller • Merry Anders • Willis Bouchey
A mental patient with a violent past is released from the institution, against the advice of his doctors, and sent back to his old neighborhood. Realizing that he can't handle the pressures of big-city life, and not wanting to commit the kinds of crimes that got him put away in the first place, he hops a bus heading out of the city and winds up in a small coastal town.

[@jcarp2322]

An excellent movie. Talking about mental illness was taboo in those days. The movie addressed it quite well.

[@mehomeboymi411]

Thank you for the old 50s movies. Everyone was so prim and proper back then. Took pride in themselves. Rod looks like he could be Fox cables Jesse Waters relative.

[@sfinthecity]

Harry Jackson resembles George W. Bush.

[@robtw88]

Glad you liked it!

[@wontonabee2448]

If you have ever wondered as to why ppl’s moral is literally going downhill at breakneck speed, nearly 3000 years ago we were warned that ppl will be this way at 2 Timothy Chapter 3 verses 1-5. So now you know.

[@simonalexanderwood]

Great likeness to JW. I’ve often thought the fox and trumpy ensemble make great villains.

[@sage4nowty129]

A great movie!! The Ray Danton character is very sympathetic!! I liked him a lot!!

[@springsogourne]

We’ve come a long way in understanding mental illness, but unfortunately here in the US we haven’t come very far in how to treat it. Especially long term housing and care. great movie!

[@skybabe1959]

Yes, I agree. And I thought it was a great movie as well

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

We haven't come very far at all, maybe it's even been retrograde progress. The old-school mental institutions had problems, but we overcompensated with too much tolerance. The increase in the use of recreational drugs and drugs in general for all things, beginning with treating boys for being "hyperactive" has created a society of neurotics. Just look at the way our politics have disintegrated. An intoxicated society isn't a prescription for sanity.

[@mikelipinski868]

This movie is fiction. Why bring in social justice virtue signaling into it? 🇨🇦

[@jdr1747]

the noise in that city would drive me nuts. good movie.

[@brocktoon8]

Wow! What a great movie! And Ray Danton, what a good actor, he played his role superbly! It was so real!

[@robtw88]

I agree!

[@catherinekeller4230]

Thank you for this wonderful movie, the modern movies just don't match up to the 50's movies 😄

[@robtw88]

Yes, you are right

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

This seems like it could have been a true story to me. Thank you for posting it, Rob. It made me sad but the movie was really well done.

[@robtw88]

Yes it was very well done and Ray Danton's performance was perfect!

[@Noname-gh5ec]

Didn't fast forward. It's intriguing to the last minute. Great movie, great actors.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

@@robtw88 Yes, it was!

[@danimojoe8563]

This has helped out my suicidal tendencies immensely !

[@lindalcoomes]

I hope so. My son has had some close calls, being bipolar with Major Depressive DisOrder and Avoidance Personality Disorder. He fights to be "normal".

[@robertwalker5521]

PRO...or ..CON.. ?

[@arts7867]

I'm obsessive about credits... interesting that the credits for this film are 4+ minutes into the movie... unusual for the '50s. Thank you for a really rare film. Cheers!

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@sherrihinton2885]

I loved that style

[@freedomofspeech6095]

Lots of twist and turns very unpredictable ending. Thanks for the upload.

[@robtw88]

You're very welcome

[@jeffreyzain]

WOW - the twist and turn, and I wasn’t expecting that ending 🔥

[@robtw88]

Thanks for watching!

[@bretstanley8931]

It's a crime to make a film set on the California coast in B & W! ☹ Having said that I really enjoyed this forgotten movie from the 50's more than some classic well known films. Thanks for posting!

[@nonyabusiness4151]

Unfortunately, today we can show it in color, but the 50s are long gone.

[@wondergranny2299]

Good movie! Had me on the edge of my chair through the whole thing!

[@gearmeister]

Thanks again, Rob for another great classic! I created a new playlist for these great movies!

[@karenholley8356]

At 44:47, I was on pins and needles, waiting to see whether or not Rod Turner got the job. Now, I'll update later, after I have watched the rest of the movie! At 1:03:34, a critical turning point! Very good film. Thank you for posting, Rob W.

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@BOBPortlandOr]

Yep. She had the clue and blew it

[@rogermaes6001]

Simply and well directed., a nice and sad story, showing the responsabilty of these psychanalysts, who pretend to cure but don't prepare the patient to face the world he's going to live in, the people who will ask him questions about his past, his job, his backround. I love Ray Danton, so gorgeous, seducing and sweet, with an enchanting smile, and the most beautiful hands in the world. I knew him in "The Rise and Fail of Legs Diamond", which I got in DVD, but not in this film. Thank you very much.

[@robtw88]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@strassenbahnfilmguy9306]

I agree abou how attractive Ray was .. and yes .. his hands .. beautiful .

[@judyledbetter3915]

Thank You So Much Rob W. Love 💗 Your Movies. God Bless 💗🙌

[@robtw88]

Thank you Judy

[@judyledbetter3915]

@@robtw88 Your So Very Welcome. God Bless 💗🙌

[@nancydorn2524]

Thank you Rob

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@user-hf5ti4ry5n]

Really enjoyed this movie. Thankfully attitudes to mental illness have improved greatly. Thanks Rob !

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@jilltodd4951]

Good one! Had to look this guy up; he died from kidney failure at age 60 😟 Unfortunate.

[@user-lo7eo3nt6t]

Thanks for the upload, Rob! I am up here in Canada watching all your movies, too cold to do anything else!❤❤❤

[@robtw88]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy!

[@Billys-Joint]

Thanks Rob.Once again.

[@robtw88]

Thanks for watching Billy!

[@cheriamour2429]

Really enjoyed This!

[@robtw88]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anythingbootneck]

Very enjoyable.

[@jamespetersen3933]

Yes, Thank you, rob.😊

[@robtw88]

Thanks for watching James!

[@ianedwards4400]

I did manage to chance upon this movie and one that I have never heard of before this time. It was excellent! The theme had a man released from a mental asylum, against the wishes of a panel of doctors, but only one doctor believed in him and felt he had made a total recovery from his disturbed past and that he could handle the future like any normal sane man. He was a draftsman by profession and settles for a little beach resort away from the hustle and bustle of prying eyes to try and lead a quiet life and with the hope that a job could be found to occupy his time, while paying for his expenses. What he goes through and the efforts he puts in to appear normal forms the crux of the film. Ray Danton handles this complex role like a veteran. He does the tightrope walk with a nervous intensity that makes him stand out in startling shades. Handsome to a fault, with a baritone to boost his performance, he is highly watchable. Colleen Miller was a Universal International contract player for quite a few years and, while most contract players left the studio, she continued and landed this plum role. Not much in the looks-department, she nevertheless pulls off this role with aplomb. Merry Anders too is featured here in a minor role, though nothing to write home about. This movie is a must for all Ray Danton fans.

[@robtw88]

Thank you for watching and commenting on this rarely seen film!

[@ianedwards4400]

@@robtw88 Rob you are most welcome. My one and only top favorite is LISA GAYE [star of Rock around the clock] and quite a few TV shows from the years 1953 to 70. If you are able to find any TV stuff of Lisa that is rare and put it on KZbin, I will be highly obliged. Looking for TV shows of Lisa from : Passport to danger [VIENNA ] 1956, Mona McCluskey [How to put out an old flame]; The Californians [The man who owned San Francisco]; It's a great life [The lady and the painting]; Adventures in Paradise [Wild Mangoes]; Flight: [Skyfighters]; The John Forsythe Show [Supergirl]; The Walter Winchell File [Exclusive Story # 31]'; The Beachcomber [The Ransom]; Mr. Garland ['The X-27]; The double life of Henry Phyfe [Spend a million phyfe]' U.S. Marshal [Backfire]; Bold Venture [Mama George's Horse's Hat S-1 E-3 1959]; Grand Jury: [Baby for sale]; Colonel Humphrey Flack [Pearls of Wisdom and The Big Wheels]; My Living Doll [Rhoda and the VIP]; The New Bob Cummings Show [Vive La Credit Card]; Markham [The country mouse] and many many more. Thank you for your time and trouble!!!

[@user-lo7eo3nt6t]

Collen Miller not too much too look at? Are you daft or gay, or are you just being silly?🤔

[@Celluloidwatcher]

Thank you for presenting The Night Runner from 1957 by Universal-International Pictures. Love seeing classic film noir, although this is a bit forgotten in the annals of Golden Age Hollywood noir. I liked the movie, and Ray Danton looked the part of the psycho killer. I will say, however, that the ending was a little sad. Not to spoil things.

[@carolcummings4687]

I always know if it's rob w it will be good

[@robtw88]

Thank you!

[@mariamarisi6154]

Thank you for the great movie. ❤

[@robtw88]

Glad you liked it!

[@raniarefaat8780]

What a film! Amazing!

[@cesarelombroso6735]

Excellent film. As others loved the Ray Danton character. Dad should not have called him a lunatic.. Thanks for posting this!

[@marylynnkotis7246]

I have been a subscriber to your channel for almost a year & I haven't watched 1 bad movie. You pick good ones.

[@litaheffley6990]

Good 👍 movie 🎬 love your channel Rob

[@robtw88]

Thank you!

[@skybabe1959]

Really good Rob, thanx so much!

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@billybob9961]

Great movie thank you very much

[@robtw88]

You're welcome!

[@binyon7]

Holy Moly....1/3 way thru. Whoa. Now that the shock of this ... ("this" being a great flick!).... an observation: The days of the lifetime job and gold watch is long passed... And, altho some work situations are better - many aspects of modern work suck. I think it's awesome that the concept of "any and all resume gaps mean bad news" (like prison - or simply laid off) is lessening. Today, isn't there more acceptance that people come-into-and-leave-the-workforce- then return? Old Binyon lived this - got canned 'real good' from a multi-national in '92. 30+ years ago... and I would never work again if I told the truth - if I came out and said, "Yes. a big firm, terminated me. I'm happy to share the facts with you, Ms Interviewer". Not in 1992! after 8 months, I never worked at that level again! (Well, the early 90's downturn didn't help, but you still would hide your "past") On a lighter note and again alluding to the Aging-Binyon meme.... Nice to see Ike... you know, President Eisenhower! The old guy running the motel? Loren? Ike. He is Ike. "I like Ike"! Oh the days when you had really decent folks running for the big job..... Not diverse, but some decent players along the way.... If you know what I mean. But I digress. Frequently. And that sidebar was a Duesy. (Nope. Not THAT Old!) To Recap: - Binyon's empathy-based comment. Like having to hide why you're not "there anymore" - The Clone of Ike. (OMG - Yoon calls him Ike-man... Binyon says... "OMG yoon... NO! different doods!" - We gave a nod to digression. and age. But the bottom line is that the system made him into a "piece-of-work", which he couldn't live down, Sad and True. (A system which still makes groups of people in to "pieces of work" ) BTW, I'm going to start the vid over. I've been typing this forever, and the movie has gotten away from Binyon..... Great Flick and Channel. Nice gummy.

[@donnabaardsen5372]

Try just enjoying the movie...if that's even possible.

[@marklauzon186]

Ya...thx Dude. I kinda like the ones you have posted!

[@elliottschertzer876]

Released April 2nd,1957

[@binyon7]

Binyon was released before then...

[@joep8787]

Great little noir B movie. Danton should've had a bigger career instead of getting stuck playing oily criminals. He nailed the character, playing a nice guy but with a subtle edginess that let you see that he wasn't over his psychiatric problems. Reminded me of the Bogart movie "In A Lonely Place" where Gloria Grahame is in love with Humphrey Bogart, but suspects he may be a murderer. Like THAT movie, this one might have been better if the girl's father had been killed by a stranger, throwing suspicion on Roy once his psychiatric history is revealed and Susan leaving him only to find out later that he was innocent, just like the Bogart character was, but the relationship was destroyed beyond hope.

[@user-lo7eo3nt6t]

Joe! I love your version of this movie! I get the feeling you have aspirations to be a screenwriter! Maybe you have already written some screenplays! That is what I am attempting to do! I used to watch movies a long time ago when I was a boy, and just like you, I used to critique movies, and many times I felt I could improve them somewhat by changing certain things! ❤❤❤

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

🥰 Thank you 👍 Good movie

[@robtw88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidweston9115]

Movie worth it just of the scenery. Always wanted to see another oceanfront auto service station since I saw one in the Columbo series. A grease monkey on a creeper under a car, with the ocean in the background. Here they beat that and have the car on an outdoor in-ground hydraulic lift. on the seashore. I wonder if that exists anywhere in CA today?

[@markr.devereux3385]

Kept me wondering how he was going to get outta the mess he got into.

[@stephanieclini3834]

Excellent film. Je vous regarde depuis la Belgique.

[@puimepuime8952]

How many deaths could be avoided by keeping dangerous lunatics in asylums for life !

[@rosalindamartinez9634]

WHAT A DIFFERENT MOVIE! I HAD NEVER SEEN A MOVIE. THAT END THE WAY THIS DID! A DISTURB MAN. THAT NEED MORE THERAPY TO GET BETTER FROM HIS MESS UP MIND. BUT THE MENTAL HOSPITAL! COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THEM THERE ANY MORE. SO THEY LET THE MENTALLY DISTURB MAN GO. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT! BUT WHEN THE MEDDING FATHER STOLE THE LETTER THAT WAS ADDRESS TO HIS OCCUPIE,AND READ IT. THEN THE MENTALLY DISTURB MAN KILL THE HOTEL OWNER. THE HOTEL OWNER SHOULD HAVE CALLED THE POLICE OFFICERS, NOT CONFRONTED HIM. THAT MOVIE MADE ALOT OF SENSE! NEVER CONFRONT A PERSON ABOUT HIS PAST LIFE, BECAUSE U ARE RISKING YOUR OWN LIFE!!

[@anm2945]

Thanks RW

[@robtw88]

Thanks for watching!

[@theAxehound]

Gotta be the kid from "Friends' " dad!!

[@thomasnorman4221]

My last employer ...San Quentin...reason for leaving:..inmates didn't wish to be counted at count time in B section...it affected me so seriously I retired at 27

[@mahasir]

great movie. can u please upload full HD No Place To Land 1958 mari blanchard

[@margocervantes3059]

4 🌟 🌟 good movie. 🎥

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...all you needed was someone who has eyes for you...

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...you had a good life you lune

[@johnmuller4014]

Doctors, at least in movies, throw the diagnosis "schizophrenia" around, hoping it will stick to a patient.

[@thomasnorman4221]

Keep these patients under lock & key

[@thomasnorman4221]

Dad...somethings tell me that's your last Olympia beer....it's the water

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...you were gonna have a good life.. It's San Quentins B section for you Roy...stand at your cell door at count time

[@davidbarbee7625]

It would have been nice had the father of the girl been accepting of the boy and there had been a happy ending. What a terrible movie.

[@mikeh.7499]

Well that's what I get for reading comments first😮already feel lousy,no need to watch sad stuff,thanks.

[@robertwalker5521]

As soon as he was out of the house...on the porch...she should have zoomed to the kitchen, got a butcher knife and........well, you know !!

[@susannay.3437]

Ha ha. That's the updated, Halloween version. 😊

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy..when you arrive in town you're suppose to check into the Ritz or Marriott before you visit employment offices...did you notice how Mr Reynolds looked at you with that narcissistic glare?

[@eriscarmodossantosdefranca5528]

And the shoes....still in her feet😮

[@thomasnorman4221]

Coppers gotta suspect you of a crime Roy before you ID yourself

[@thomasnorman4221]

Dad...a week isn't enough time to fall in love?....ask Tavares..."It only takes a minute girl...to Fallin love

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...board a greyhound to Orofino, Idaho...I have a extra room....you could find employment at the family dollar variety store...watch out for Patty...she'll greet you passionately

[@amarreder6241]

Rate 6 Noir

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...the seaside cottage has a great view...stay there...don't return to Sacramento...six $$ a day is what I pay in 2024...the view here is beautiful like there...ask the motel owner if you may clean rooms there so you may live there permanently, I'll bet theirs a female in your future too Roy...

[@thomasnorman4221]

I'll have one..

[@tippimail1]

Who named this movie?He didn't run at night.

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy...if you're not happy there you could build a raft as forest gump did once when his FedEx plane crashed and go drifting where the sea takes you

[@whydoineedahandle406]

In todays money that ocean side cottage for 6 dollars is 66 dollars in todays money. Lol

[@None-zc5vg]

A 'sympathetic' role for Danton, who seemed made to play gangster types. The picture was hampered by its low-budget and by falling back on a cliché 'psycho-killer' ending: maybe the director wanted something better and the studio just wanted a fast‐buck thriller.

[@charlesiragui2473]

I agree that him slipping and killing was OK but it would have been more interesting if he'd just struggled. Or if some vagrant had come by and killed the father and then he'd been falsely accused, started to snap under the pressure of the accusations.

[@m.y.o.b.724]

I think the movie was trying to make a point. Ray Danton's character was released due to overcrowding in the fascility. He obviously wasn't ready and a danger to society. I'm sure that's been an ongoing problem.

[@donnabaardsen5372]

Oh brother, heaven forbid if we just get into and enjoy the movie!

[@Rose-jz6ix]

​@@m.y.o.b.724I agree with you. Many movies were made to tell a story if you didn't want to look that far into it you could just enjoy it on a surface level. My mother & other friends have worked in psych wards, in the bad old days when the nursing staff were rotated , but not the doctor. Mostly sad outcomes.

[@corrineagnello4584]

@@m.y.o.b.724It still IS an ongoing problem and has been for decades, I agree with you.

[@frankrizzo240]

23:07

[@thomasnorman4221]

Roy....for someone recently released from a psyche ward without no means on support you dress nicely...I think that Susan likes you...

[@dennisharvey7899]

Old movies are a breeding ground for hooking folks to start smoking😂

[@thomasnorman4221]

....and Roy...if you wanna live stress free while you use publication, don't live in or near Sacramento County...the Sacramento Regional Transit workers are more mentally ill than you