Born to Kill

Born to Kill is a 1947 film noir starring Lawrence Tierney and directed by Robert Wise. It was the first film noir to be directed by Wise, who later directed The Set-Up , The Captive City , and Odds Against Tomorrow . The film also features Claire Trevor, Walter Slezak, and Elisha Cook Jr. Helen Brent has just received a Reno divorce. That night, she discovers one of her neighbors, Laury Palmer, and a gentleman caller murdered in Palmer's home. The killer is her neighbor's other boyfriend, Sam Wilde , an insanely jealous man who won't abide anyone "cutting in" on him. Helen discovers the... bodies, but says nothing to the police; she's leaving town and doesn't want to be impeded. She meets Sam on the train, and she is instantly attracted to his self-confidence and brutality, but she is engaged to marry a wealthy boyfriend, Fred . Sam tells Helen that he will call on her wherever she is staying in San Francisco. He arrives and meets Georgia Staples , Helen's foster sister, also rich, and Sam soon shifts his attentions to her, marrying her for her money after a whirlwind romance.
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