MovieChat Forums > Code Two (1953) Discussion > Ralph Meeker fans take note

Ralph Meeker fans take note

posted 14 years ago by wvmcl
6 replies | jump to latest

If you're an admirer of Meeker's performance as Mike Hammer in "Kiss Me Deadly," you'll enjoy seeing him in this B-film made two years earlier. His performace as a brash young rookie cop reads like a rehearsal for the Hammer role. Meeker comes off as in a league with Brando, Newman, et al - it's a shame his film career never really took off and he was later relegated to character roles on TV.

A swift and very entertaining period piece.

[–] vawlkee_2000 10 years ago

Yeah I always liked Ralph Meeker. He always reminded me of a more mellow Vic Morrow, looks, voice, etc.
I suggest you view his low key performance as doomed kidnapper Jerry Barker in "Big House USA, 1955. I love everything about that film and even went so far as to post (on IMDB) a way he could have pulled off the caper.
He was a low key guy that could always handle himself.

[–] essex9999 9 years ago

I suggest you view his low key performance as doomed kidnapper Jerry Barker in "Big House USA, 1955.

I also strongly recommend "Jeopardy" (1953), in which Meeker plays a murderer on the run who sort of kidnaps Barbara Stanwyck, who sort of hates him and sort of ... feels something else for her handsome, virile, dangerous kidnapper. Even though she's years 13 years older than he is, they light up the screen with chemistry. Very good movie, with an interesting, ambiguous ending.

[–] vawlkee_2000 9 years ago

Thank you for the update, however you may want to check my controversial review of Big House USA from some years ago.

[–] essex9999 9 years ago

Sorry ... don't see it. Did you post under another name?

[–] vawlkee_2000 9 years ago

My error, it was on the discuss/comments page. I don't remember my header but it had to do with how Jerry could have pulled it off. I got a lot of flak for it but I didn't care.

[–] Anaheim92807 10 years ago

Also see young versions of Robert Horton (before Wagon Train) and Keenan Wynn. There is even a cameo by Chuck Connors (before The Rifleman)!