Touch of Evil

Mexican narcotics detective Ramon ‘Mike’ Vargas (Charlton Heston) has to interrupt his honeymoon at the Mexican-American border when a man is killed in a bombing. Although the victim died at the American side of the border, it soon becomes clear that the bomb was planted on the Mexican side. Chief inspector Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles) leads the American investigation and soon arrests a suspect. But Vargas has reason to think Quinlan and his sergeant Pete Menzies (Joseph Calleia) are corrupt and have planted evidence. While he investigates Quinlan’s previous cases, Vargas forgets that his biggest enemies – the Mexican drug family Grandi, who he is building a case against – will go to any lengths to silence him.

Orson Welles wrote and directed the film, which was based on a pulp novel by Whit Masterson, and also played the part of Hank Quinlan. Unfortunately, as with many of Welles’ films, the studio re-edited his version without his permission. Luckily, TOUCH OF EVIL has been restored to its full glory, thanks to (and based on) a 58-paged memo written by Welles explaining his creative vision. Welles always was a master of translating sinister stories into a dark and visually innovative rendition. In addition, the performances of Welles, Heston, Calleia and Janet Leigh, in the role of newly-wed Ms. Vargas, are convincing and gripping. A tip for the fans: you can also spot Marlene Dietrich (wearing a black wig) as a fortune teller and a cameo by Zsa Zsa Gabor.