🍿A murdered dentist, missing dental X-rays, stolen money, gangsters—and a sinister circus clown. The Fat Man (1951) may be one of Classic Film Noir's strangest forgotten mysteries.
In this review, we explore J. Scott Smart's unconventional private detective Brad Runyan, an early appearance by Rock Hudson, and Emmett Kelly's memorable turn as circus clown Ed Deets. We'll examine the film's mystery, flashback structure, unusual story beats, and William Castle's economical filmmaking, along with its connection to Dashiell Hammett and the hard-boiled radio tradition.
Is this obscure Noir worth rediscovering? Join the ALL FILM NOIRS PROJECT as we work through the database, one Noir at a time. Subscribe and follow for more forgotten Film Noir.
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📖Reviews Mentioned📖
The Whistler (1944) — https://youtu.be/2nPu5QeWfVc
Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949) — https://youtu.be/5KDAI-kVRH8
The Fat Man (1951) — https://youtu.be/ux0JsuU6ft8
The Maltese Falcon (1941) — https://youtu.be/iDqjuPCKUVc
The Killers (1946) — https://youtu.be/KbninbLqoMU
Sunset Blvd. (1950) — https://youtu.be/vnZjw1u0Otc
All Film Noirs Project 1927 – 2026 - https://classicmovierev.com/all-film-noirs/
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