direct by samuel fuller and who also write the screenplay and pickup on south street be a tough and brutal and well make film about a pickpocket ( richard widmark ) who inadvertently aquires top secret microfilm and become a target for espionage agent . also involve be jean peter a a tough broad who be use a a courier by her evil ex lover richard kiley . it film noir at it best and although the performance be very good it grand character actress thelma ritter who steal the movie . a moe a weary street peddler sell neck tie ( and who also sell information ) she be terrific in a role that bring her another oscar nomination . it amazing that miss ritter be nominate six time for an academy award and she never win . this should have be the role that cop it for her .