Watch Walk On The Wild Side

Walk On The Wild Side is a 1962 drama film directed by Edward Dmytryk and produced by Famous Artists Productions. It is based on the novel of the same name by Nelson Algren, the famous American author known for his gritty, realistic portraits of the working class and the underbelly of society. The movie is set in the 1930s and follows a group of down-and-out characters as they struggle to survive in the seedy world of New Orleans' French Quarter.

The lead character, Dove Linkhorn (Laurence Harvey), is a young drifter who arrives in the city looking for his long-lost love, Hallie Gerard (played by Capucine). He follows her trail to a brothel run by the tough-talking madam, Jo Courtney (played by Barbara Stanwyck), but soon finds himself caught up in a web of deceit and danger. Along the way, he meets a series of eclectic characters, including a transvestite musician named Teresina Vidaverri (played by Anne Baxter), an aspiring actress named Kitty Twist (played by Jane Fonda), and a crazed sailor named Oliver (played by Marc Lawrence).

As Dove slowly unravels the mystery of Hallie's disappearance, he becomes involved in a complicated love triangle with her and Jo. Meanwhile, Kitty Twist is trying to make it as an actress but is ultimately forced to turn to prostitution to make ends meet. The film is a harsh and realistic portrayal of the seedy underbelly of society, with gritty, atmospheric cinematography and a haunting jazz soundtrack.

The performances in Walk On The Wild Side are excellent, with Laurence Harvey delivering a nuanced and complex portrayal of Dove, conveying his vulnerability and desperation as well as his inner strength and resilience. Capucine brings a mysterious beauty to her role as Hallie, while Barbara Stanwyck is commanding as the tough-talking madam. Anne Baxter is striking as the transvestite musician, and Jane Fonda shines in one of her early film roles as the naïve and vulnerable Kitty Twist.

The themes of the film center around survival and redemption, as the characters grapple with poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. The film offers a stark glimpse into the lives of those who are marginalized by society and forced to fight for their very existence. It also touches on issues of sexuality and gender identity, with the portrayal of the transvestite musician adding a layer of complexity and depth to the narrative.

Overall, Walk On The Wild Side is a powerful and memorable film that offers a window into a bygone era of American cinema. It is a bleak and unsettling portrait of a world that is both cruel and beautiful, and the characters who inhabit it are complex and flawed. Dmytryk's direction is masterful, striking a balance between realism and poetry, and the script by John Fante and Edmund Morris is both lyrical and gritty. The film is a must-see for fans of vintage dramas and anyone interested in the darker aspects of American history and culture.

Walk On The Wild Side is a 1962 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.