Touch of Evil Touch of Evil Touch of Evil is a 1958 American film noir written, directed by and co-starring Orson Welles. The screenplay was loosely based on the novel "Badge of Evil" by Whit Masterson. Along with Welles, the cast includes Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff and Marlene Dietrich. One of the last examples of film noir in the genre's classic period, its reputation has grown since its release, and it is now widely regarded as one of Welles's best motion pictures and one of the best classic-era films noir. In 1993, it was selected for preservation in the
The Co-Optimists (film) directed by Laddie Cliff (who also starred in the film) and Edwin Greenwood. This film also provided Stanley Holloway with his second film appearance having been with the troupe from the start. In December 1926, co-star Betty Chester appeared in a short film made in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film process, singing the song 'Pig-Tail Alley' from the show. Hal Erickson of All Movie Guide noted that the revue had recently finished its U.S. run at the time of this film's release. He criticized the film for its stagy presentation. He stated that the film was poorly received by the critics,