The Window (1949)

October Film Noir Selection


This is a retelling of the boy who cried wolf fable. Tommy Woodry is a 9 year old boy who loves to tell stories. When the movie opens he tells some other boys that his family is about to move from NYC to a ranch out west. This tale gets to the landlord who decides to show the apartment. Tommy's parents are fed up and make him promise to never tell lies again. That night, the heat is stifling so Tommy goes out on the fire escape to sleep when he notices there is a nicer breeze one floor up. While he is on the fire escape of the Kellerson's he sees the husband and wife kill a man through the gap in the blinds. When he tells his parents they obviously don't believe him. After he goes to the police, who also don't believe him, his mother makes him go upstairs and apologize to the neighbors. Once they know that their secret is in danger they decide to get rid of Tommy by any means necessary. This is a wonderful film and I am surprised that it is not better known. Bobby Driscoll is wonderful as the young Tommy. The film will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. A definite do not miss when it comes on TCM.

This was remade as:
The Boy Who Cried Murder (1866)
Eyewitness (1970)
Cloak & Dagger (1984 - a personal fave from my childhood)