KEY LARGO (1948)
Everyone's had that moment. When you're watching an old movie and the thought runs through your mind: "they just don't make movies like that anymore." That's what Key Largo is. One of those solid, excellent movies that you will be hard pressed to ever see the likes of again. If there was one thing cinema did well up until about the 70s, it was this: stage play adaptions and murder noir. With that in mind, Key Largo really has everything good going for it. The film revolves around Frank McCloud, a WWII veteran who has come to a hotel in Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of one of his fallen war buddies. However, all hell breaks loose (doesn't it always?) when a storm comes through and traps the friends inside the hotel. Along with a band of gangsters waiting on a "special delivery." It's the perfect recipe for a little violence, a lot of excellent script writing, and some wonderful shadows and ambiance.
And let us not forget the stars. Humphrey Bogart, of course, delivers a solid performance. You can tell when the man's in his element, and this is certainly it. Not to mention the lovely Lauren Bacall, who does a beautiful damsel-mostly-in-distress. The two play off each other wonderfully. But my favorite performance has to fall on the shoulders of Edward G. Robinson, who plays the gravelly gangster Johnny Rocco. If you want to know why people are typecast, this is it. He's short, he's vile, and he's a mean, ruthless gangster machine. If I saw this man on the street, I would probably run very quickly in the other direction. Lastly, I have to give a shout out to the outrageous old folks--Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor. Bring it. Key Largo is a straight up classic--if you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? A stormy night and a nefarious crowd?
I love watching old movies. For one, it's like time travel. The dialogue back then was just exquisite.
ReplyDeleteTime travel! I agree completely. You don't realize quite how much everything has changed until you watch Humphrey Bogart go at it.
DeleteOne of my favorites! Wow, that cast! Lionel Barrymore - one of the great "crusty old guys" of cinema - and related to our own adorable Drew. Bogie, Bacall, and Robinson. I'd watch these three eat lunch. Soup. With leaky spoons so they have to slurp quickly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there was one post-movie addition to the Key Largo legend that did nothing to enhance it. I dare you, nay, challenge you to check out a clip of Bertie Higgins's 1982 pop hit "Key Largo" and then come back here to let me know what you thought.
In the meantime - terrific classic choice - I'm loving this A-Z!
Agreed! Completely. Key Largo, The Curse Of The Leaky Spoons would definitely be a movie I'd shell out bucks for. They are all badasses. End of story.
DeleteAnd I feel like I've been RickRoll'd. What just happened? I'm...my brain...abort...abort!!
You're right, the dialogue in a lot of older films is not only sharp, it gives good lines to even small characters.
ReplyDeleteI liked this movie a little less than the other 3 (only 3!) Bogey/Bacall films. I guess Bogey's character has to play some of the same notes over and over, and it was a little much for me. But please check out To Have And Have Not. I reviewed it, but in short, it's a little masterpiece.
They do! They don't waste their extras, that's for sure.
DeleteI can feel that. I certainly have to check out To Have And Have Not now! A little masterpiece sounds right up my alley.
This is pure brilliance and one of the many reasons I am in love with Bogart. I own this, but always watch when it comes on TV, too. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou're on a roll! I love it! But Bogart is the shit, end of story.
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