MovieChat Forums > Killer's Kiss (1955) Discussion > lighting in this film

lighting in this film

posted 18 years ago by odysseusman
5 replies | jump to latest

I was struck by Kubrick's amazing use of light, especially from light sources inside the scene and frame. In theatre, sources like floor lamps are called "motivating" light sources. I assume film has a similar term. In the scene when Rapallo first surveys her apartment, two uses of light caught my attention: the floorlamp on his face as he first looks around and the wall light behind her clothes as they hang on a line. Boy, do these ever add to the depth in the shot. Anybody see the influence of Welles and Toland here?

How did he get those scenes shot in Times Square?

[–] gshanger 18 years ago

Kub was in his neo-realist period here... so as much as possible, he used natural lighting... and lots of hand-held shots. OK?

..
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[–] jwleal77 17 years ago

He just filmed incognito to not draw attention to the filming.

[–] Alienator 17 years ago

I agree. Such techniques give the picture an incredibly naturalistic feel. Kubrick’s film has a very realistic aura about it; one feels at times as if they were watching a documentary on lower-class urban life in the 50’s.

Kubrick came as close to sleaze as he ever would in 'Killer's Kiss' (1955). The most logical (or perhaps illogical) way to describe this brilliant picture is "tastefully sleazy".

"Pull the string, pull the string!" -Bela Lugosi

[–] BlondeVixen 16 years ago

<Kubrick’s film has a very realistic aura about it; one feels at times as if they were watching a documentary on lower-class urban life in the 50’s.>

Yes. Especially using no-name actors in the leads.

<"Pull the string, pull the string!" -Bela Lugosi>

He should've said "Pull my finger". That would've been unexpected from him.

[–] theannakostan 8 years ago

It really was very grabbing.