Road House (1948 film)

Road House is a 1948 American film noir crime drama directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, Richard Widmark, and Celeste Holm. The plot revolves around the tense relationships and escalating conflict that arise in a roadside tavern and bowling alley located in a remote area.

The film's narrative centers on Jeckie Thomas (Ida Lupino), a tough-talking torch singer working at the Road House. Pete Morgan (Cornel Wilde), the owner and manager of the Road House, is infatuated with Jeckie. His childhood friend and business partner, the volatile and possessive Jefferson T. "Jefty" Robbins (Richard Widmark), arrives for a visit and takes an immediate interest in Jeckie, setting off a chain of events fueled by jealousy and obsession.

Jefty's increasingly erratic behavior and possessive tendencies lead to conflict with Pete, as Pete tries to protect Jeckie from Jefty's unwanted advances. The tension escalates when Jefty frames Pete for a crime, leading to a dramatic showdown and resolution. Celeste Holm plays Susie Smith, a friend of Pete's who provides a contrasting element to the dangerous love triangle.

"Road House" is notable for its atmospheric cinematography, its exploration of themes such as jealousy, obsession, and the power dynamics between men and women, and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Richard Widmark's portrayal of the unstable and menacing Jefty. The film is considered a classic example of film noir, exhibiting the genre's characteristic dark themes and visual style.