The Price of Fear returned the fest focus to traditional film noir roots – the sort that involves the mob, private dicks and shifty ladies. Two simultaneous murders and cover-ups, the man accused of both, a cabbie with the answers and a woman who can buy off everyone. Always a good recipe.
* “She’s happy – maybe a bit too happy.”
* “I feel terrible. You look beautiful.”
* “What’re the odds of a car being stolen twice in one hour?” “I haven’t computed it.”
* “I can handle people, but the thing that’s bothering me is do I know how to handle you?”
* “Talk of money seems to cheer you up a good bit.”
* “I’ve got to live with my conscience, Ruthie.” “Well, live with it then if you prefer it to me.”
* “Nobody loves a patsy, least of all you.”
Following the screening, mobster baddie Warren Stevens was interviewed by film historian, Joel Blumberg. Blumberg described the film as “Douglas Sirk goes film noir,” which is fitting considering the melodramatics (by Merle Oberon, especially). He enjoyed playing the heavy, as those were always the best parts and he could add color to them. However, the bad guys come complete with fight scenes, and Stevens said Lex Barker could never remember a fight sequence. Stevens ended up with a beaut to the left eye, and was grateful when doubles were involved.