The Naked Kiss
Directed by Samuel Fuller
Written by Samuel Fuller
1956/USA
Allied Artists Pictures
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Candy: Nobody shoves dirty money in my mouth.[/box]
Perhaps Fuller’s most gonzo film, the story moves from violence to singing handicapped children and back again in 90 minutes. It proves to be an intoxicating mixture.
As the film begins, we see a woman we will come to know as Kelly (Constance Towers) viciously beating a man with her purse. At the end of the struggle, her wig comes off and we see she has been shaved bald. The man was her pimp and had been holding out on her. We learn Kelly is good because she takes no more than the $70 she was owed.
Kelly splits from her pimp and attempts to start anew in her old trade in the town of Grantsville. Her first trick turns out to be Griff (aside: I’d like to know just how many times Fuller had a character named Griff in a movie. I’m guessing it may be in the double digits). Griff is the police chief in town. He enjoys Kelly’s services then orders her to leave town. He suggests she goes across the river where Candy’s place offers “bon bons” for sale. However, a look at herself in the mirror causes Kelly to go straight.
This she does wholeheartedly by landing a job, with no references or experience, as a nurse to handicapped children in an orthopedic hospital. Here is where the singing comes in. Concurrently, Grant, whose family the town is named for, returns from Europe. The incredibly wealthy Grant, the benefactor of the hospital, immediately falls for Kelly with whom he has many intellectual conversations. (Kelly can quote Goethe at the drop of a hat).
Despite some initial misgivings on Kelly’s part, the two fall in love. Kelly reveals her sordid past. Oddly, the moment she does Grant asks her to marry him. Wedding plans are in full swing when Kelly stumbles upon the terrible truth about Grant and feels compelled to put her purse back into action.
This movie is truly strange but is a blast! It is all lurid, yet sentimental, to the max. Towers demonstrates acting chops ranging from rage to pathos. I enjoy every single weird moment of this movie. But I always am left with a nagging question about whether Kelly’s motive really would be justification for a homicide. Recommended.
I agree. There’s so much to love in Fuller’s filmography, not despite how much it dips into the lurid, but because of it.
As you say, this one might be his most gonzo, although Shock Corridor would give it a pretty good run for its money.
It might be a tie between this and Shock Corridor. I’d give this the edge because things are supposed to be weird in an insane asylum whereas Naked Kiss seems to take place in an alternative universe!
I think agan Fuller had a great time making this movie. I imagine him loving creating these bizarre situations and juxtaposition the very sweet and wholesome (the singing) with the diabolical (pedophilia).
I love the fact that despite how bizarre it is, Fuller seems very sincere not like he’s trying to be cute or clever.