All
the diner's patrons interact with numerous one-on-one conversations.
There is Lee Marvin, a character who swings from lecherous slob to
comical buddy. Everyone's cliched short-order cook. If Marvin seemed
to be under-appreciated mid-century he did not go unnoticed. He is
quite versatile here, handling a pivotal dual role. He has a lot
cooking but it is not chili. Keenan Wynn, the sarcastic eatery owner,
does not like Marvin's attitude and apparently his cooking. Their
verbal jabs is the daily routine. He and Marvin have the funniest
scene during their weight-lifting challenge. It is full of sarcastic
insults as each tries to out manly the other. Lean and lanky, Marvin
is hilarious.
Throw
in smokey-voiced tenor, Frank Lovejoy, with a few secrets; throw in a
naive waitress, Terry Moore, and you have a reason to show up at the
diner. Despite her top billing, this is Marvin's film. If you are
expecting Whit Bissell to show up then you will not be disappointed.
He plays the D-Day buddy of Wynn’s character. Len Lesser
(Seinfeld’s Uncle Leo) and Marvin seem to have a long-standing
relationship. Their odd mock "boxing match" at arm's length
with opposite ends of a towel between their teeth would seem to have
a childhood history.
Note: This eighty-minute suspense drama was directed by Edward Dein with a twisty screenplay by him and Mildred Dein. It was produced by William F. Broidy Productions and released by United Artists Pictures. The ever-present Paul Dunlap offered up the music score, starting off with a jazzy jukebox number.
