The Cry Baby Killer movie storyline. 17-year-old Jimmy Wallace (Jack Nicholson) is brutally beaten by Manny Cole and two of his teen-age punk friends, Joey and Al, because Manny wants to move in on Jimmy’s girl, Carole Fields (Carolyn Mitchell). Later, Jimmy shows up at the hangout of the teenage crowd to take Carole away, and challenges Manny to a fight.
Manny’s two buddies move in with brass knuckles, and one of them pulls a pistol, which falls to the ground in the scuffle. Jimmy picks it up and shoots Manny and Al. A police officer orders Jimmy to surrender, but he panics, thinking he killed the pair, and dives into a small storeroom, and holds a man, woman and her baby as hostages.
The Cry Baby Killer is a 1958 film noir crime film produced by Roger Corman. It marked Jack Nicholson’s film debut. Until recently, the film was out of print and hard to find. In 2006, it was issued on DVD for the first time by Buena Vista Home Entertainment as part of their Roger Corman Classics series.
Corman later claimed the film was the first movie he produced which did not make money, although he said it earned its costs back off television rights. He also says he was out of the country during pre-production and much of the script was changed by the producer. Corman returned to Hollywood two days before filming began and tried to reverse the changes, but was only partially successful.
About the Story
The first motion picture starring Jack Nicholson starts with title and credits shown over a section of brick wall. Jimmy Wallace (Jack Nicholson) is in an alley and gets into a fight with Manny Cole (Brett Halsey) over a woman. Three more join the fight and hold Jimmy while Manny beats him unconscious.
At the Klix restaurant a carhop, Julie (Lynn Cartwright) brings a policeman more coffee. Manny and his friend Joey Clayman (Ralph Reed) enter the restaurant. In the alley, Jimmy is coming to. He is helped to his feet by a friend and football player, Fred Davis (uncredited). Manny is at a table with Joey and Carole Fields (Carolyn Mitchell). Pete Gambelli (Frank Richards) is the owner of the place and approaches their table and inquires if everything is ok. Evelyn (Mitzi McCall), Manny’s last girlfriend, approaches the table.
She says hello to Manny and invites herself to sit down. Manny immediately tells her, “Get Lost.” It is Joey who wryly observes, “They dont know when Manny’s through with them.” Carole expresses concern over Jimmy’s beating. Manny tells Carole she’s now his girl and pours an ample supply of alcohol into her soft drink. She reluctantly drinks the spiked cola. Al Werner (James Fillmore) and Gad (uncredited) join Joey, Manny and Carole at their table. Gad is considered another Jimmy Wallace, so he is rudely dismissed from the table. Manny gives Joey money and orders his flunky to procure two more bottles of alcohol.
Joey exits the restaurant to annoy Julie and Police Officer Glen Gannon (John Shay). Jimmy and Fred arrive at the Klix. Fred tells Jimmy that Carole isn’t any good. He convinces Jimmy to use the phone to talk to Carole. Evelyn answers the phone. She gets Carole, but phrases it so Manny thinks it might be another boyfriend calling her. Carole tells Jimmy not to call her anymore. A very jealous Manny hustles her back to the table.
Jimmy and Fred enter the restaurant. Jimmy announces that he is taking Carole home. As things escalate, Pete comes over to intervene. He tells Manny and Jimmy to take it outside. The five men: Manny, Jimmy, Joey, Al and Fred step outside. A man, his wife and baby pull into the parking lot in their car. The five men continue walking. A scuffle breaks out and Jimmy manages to grab the gun from Al, who was holding the gun for Manny.
The Cry Baby Killer (1958)
Directed by: Joe Addis
Starring: Harry Lauter, Jack Nicholson, Carolyn Mitchell, Brett Halsey, Lynn Cartwright, Barbara Knudson, William A. Forester, John Shay, Ralph Reed, Bill Erwin, Ed Nelson, Smoki Whitfield
Screenplay by: Leo Gordon, Melvin Levy
Cinematography by: Floyd Crosby
Film Editing by: Irene Morra
Art Direction by: Don Ament
Makeup Department: David Newell
Music by: Gerald Fried
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Allied Artists Pictures
Release Date: August 17, 1958
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