This obscure thriller marks the screen debut of an unrecognizably young Anne Bancroft, playing second fiddle to Marilyn Monroe in her first role as a "serious actress."

Sure enough, Monroe proves she can act, and pretty seriously. While she appears to be her usual ditzy blonde at first, the film slowly proves itself to be something else entirely.

The action in Don't Bother to Knock takes place entirely in a fairly small hotel, focusing on Monroe's Nell, niece of the elevator operator who is recommended to babysit for a couple attending a banquet downstairs. Across the courtyard is Jed (Richard Widmark), who's recently been dumped by the hotel's lounge singer (Bancroft) and who figures he'll put the moves on Nell instead. During their encounter, she proves herself to be anything but innocent.

Creepy and effective, the film's smallness enhances its mood considerably. Monroe's performance isn't flawless, but it's good enough, aided by Widmark's poor sap and an impressive supporting cast -- most of whom deliver deadpan one-liners throughout the movie. Roy Baker appears to have had a very small budget but does good work the tools in his arsenal. At only 76 minutes long, it's a quick number but a fairly satisfying one.

Based on the novel Mischief. Featured as part of the restored set of Monroe classics in The Diamond Collection II (see links at right).