When I read Steven Murray's announcement of his 2000th review and the write-off he was posting in honor of that grand occasion, I knew I would participate with more than one review since the theme of "Black and White" movies is quite original and very fitting…I've learned so much from Steven through his reviews about Film Noir and so many aspects of other movies. I know I appreciate good films of different genres now more than ever. Besides, nobody has contributed more to my French/English write-offs then he has and in doing so, turned me on to some incredible, tres bon films I had no idea even existed. I thank you Steven for that and for being such a good friend.

The other night on the TCM Channel I discovered one of my favorite all-time films, and, guess what, it was in black and white. Because we just had Fay, that tropical storm, visit us in South Florida and though it turned out to be pretty minor here it is causing a great deal of damage in Central and North Florida now…my mind has been busy thinking about hurricanes for the last week or two. So the movie, Key Largo seems quite apropos as my first contribution to Stevens write-off.

This film is really quite something…though dated a bit, it held my attention for the entire 2 hours. I found myself really enjoying each scene as they flickered across my TV screen.

From the way they depicted the pending hurricane to the talents of some of the finest actors in the era of film noir, the 1940's and 50's, this is a fine example of those gifted artists and filmmakers, producing a film the way it was done back then.

Directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor, (who won the academy award for her performance), you can't get a better cast than that one…even the character actors were so, what should I say, in character for those years and the parts they were playing.

Basically this is a gangster movie which takes place in Key Largo, not the usual place to find this type of action. Innocently enough, Bogart's character, Frank McCloud, arrives at an isolated hotel by the sea in the Keys. He's there to visit the father and widow of his old army buddy who died in Italy with him during the war. Frank enters the hotel and immediately encounters some strange guys who are not to happy to see him there.
Apparently they work for a notorious gangster who is on the lamb, Johnny Rocco, (Robinson), and they have some sort of nefarious deal underway at this hotel. He is hassled when he asks for a drink at the bar… This is when we meet Gaye Dawn, (Claire Trevor), Rocco's girlfriend, she seems to be a bit high on booze but befriends Frank and he gets his drink.

When we meet Rocco, he is lying in a bathtub, in front of a fan, cooling off in the oppressive heat…But then he gets up and puts a long sleeved satin robe on and towel around his neck.

Note I have to say here that what didn't ring true at all was the way these men dressed throughout the film in long sleeved shirts, suits, ties and even hats, really!! During the summer in the Keys? With a storm coming? The temperatures are in the 90's and the humidity is oppressive during summer storm season…for some reason this really bothered me, the filmmakers should have done some weather research on that one.

Anyway, we meet Bacall, (Nora Temple), and then Barrymore, (James Temple), the widow and crusty old crippled father of his dead army buddy. Temple owns this hotel and Nora is there living there helping him run the place. This is when movie kicks up in gear. You could feel the chemistry right away between Bogey and Bacall. (I could hear the music of the song made about them a few years ago).

The phone rings and they learn there is a hurricane on the way. Just like that, no 2-3-4 day weather forecasts constantly driving you crazy.

When Rocco comes downstairs and all the characters are assembled we soon learn these men are up to something that is not quite kosher. Frank is wise to them right away.

As the storm approaches we meet some Seminole Indians who are also running away from the local police. (I had a smiley moment here when I recognized one of the Indians, John Osceola, (Jay Silverheels), as Tonto in the Lone Ranger).

Then, as the storm comes even closer and the wind starts to howl, rather a bit too quickly since that phone call, everything and everybody gets all shook up. Rocco and his men stop pretending to be innocent fisherman on a vacation and it is soon confirmed that they are really up to no good when they eventually pull out their guns and take everyone hostage in the hotel. Rocco keeps repeating he wants the good old days back of prohibition as he chomps on his cigar, which was always in his mouth. He has a meet with some guys from Miami, then he wants to go out on a boat to Havana in the middle of the storm, all sorts of strange things occur and of course Bogart is in the middle of it all. And, then there's Dawn, a washed up nightclub singer with an alcohol problem who wants nothing more than a drink which of course Rocco denies her just out meanness. Robinson really plays this part to the hilt but he's just fantastic in that Edward G Robinson kind of way.

In the midst of all these happenings the wild and wicked hurricane arrives with howling winds and Rocco has no clue what to expect as all hell breaks lose until the final scenes.

But I don't want to give any more of this story away, there is much more to come.

The hurricane scene was frightening, the sounds dreadful as they really are when a storm like that swoops down upon you, though I have to admit I thought it was over too soon and the realism of how bad a hurricane like that would be on Key Largo wasn't really depicted in its entirety, but, back then, I guess they didn't know as much about hurricanes as we do today.

All in all, this is a truly an outstanding movie of its time with some strange characterizations by the actors, caricatures of what Hollywood thought of mobsters during that period of time. And though I did have some nitpicking with Key Largo I still found it fascinating to watch Bogart do his thing and Bacall look at him with those big, innocent, yet sexy eyes.

Yes, they had it all, Bogey and Bacall….here's looking at you kid!

Main Cast:
Humphrey Bogart - Frank McCloud
Edward G. Robinson - Johnny Rocco
Lauren Bacall - Nora Temple
Claire Trevor - Gaye Dawn
Lionel Barrymore - James Temple
Thomas Gomez - Curley Hoff
Monte Blue - Sheriff Ben Wade
John Rodney - Deputy Clyde Sawyer
Jay Silverheels - John Osceola
Rodd Redwing - Tom Osceola
Dan Seymour - Angel Garcia
Harry Lewis - Toots
Alberto Morin - Skipper
John Phillips - Ziggy's Henchman
Marc Lawrence - Ziggy
Luther Crockett - Ziggy's Henchman
Jerry Jerome - Ziggy's Henchman

Director:
John Huston
Writers:
John Huston, Richard Brooks
Producer:
Jerry Wald

Adult Situations, Violence

Awards
1948 - Key Largo - Academy - Best Supporting Actress


This write-off is also in honor of isinga of a friend of Stevens on the site, a writer who for some reason I wasn't aware of and sadly is no longer with us. I hope to acquaint myself with him through his writing. Stephens write-off can be found here.

Congratulations Steven on so many quality reviews!


Recommended:
Yes

Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older