This was a sequel to Knock on Any Door, which was also based on a Willard Motley novel and was directed by Nicholas Ray, but very little critical material has been written on Let No Man Write My Epitaph. "A bizarre account of slum life" (Leonard Maltin), it has James Darren in a serious role as the pianist son of the convict executed in Knock on Any Door; Shelley Winters as his dope-addicted mother; Jean Seberg as his girl, and Burl Ives as a drunken judge. "Principally because of the earnest, restrained acting and the realistic photography of a rundown urban neighborhood, the picture projects a persuasive intimacy as it examines a group of social vagrants who are drawn to a sturdy, ambitious lad, played by Mr. Darren, and his emotional, widowed mother....The best thing about the picture is Miss Winters as the frowsy, good-hearted woman who goes to pieces....In addition, the movie people finally have had the good judgment to allot that great lady of song, Ella Fitzgerald, a brief acting chore....As a tired 'junkie,' act is precisely what she does." (N. Y. Times)