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Key Largo
1948
Frank McCloud is an embittered war veteran who travels to Key Largo in Florida in order to meet Nora Temple, the wife of a friend of his who died in the war. He plans to stay at a hotel run by relatives of Nora's, but discovers that it has been taken over by vicious gengster Johnny Rocco. McCloud doesn't want to get involved in .. Read more
| Starring | Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore |
|---|---|
| Director | John Huston |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Key Largo
Frank McCloud is an embittered war veteran who travels to Key Largo in Florida in order to meet Nora Temple, the wife of a friend of his who died in the war. He plans to stay at a hotel run by relatives of Nora's, but discovers that it has been taken over by vicious gengster Johnny Rocco. McCloud doesn't want to get involved in opposing Rocco, having lost any idealism in the war, but events take a more serious turn and he is forced to rethink his beliefs.
| Starring | Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Claire Trevor, Marc Lawrence, Thomas Gomez, John Rodney |
|---|---|
| Director | John Huston |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 37 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 03 Jul 2000 Production year: 1948 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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A great Warner Bros cast was assembled for this screen version of Maxwell Anderson's steamy play, but, despite sterling work from movie icons Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and, best of all, Edward G Robinson as veteran gangster Johnny Rocco, the creaky theatrical origins show through, and the climactic Florida storms are as phoney as the allegorical plot devices. Nevertheless, Stagecoach's Claire Trevor picked up an Oscar for playing Robinson's boozy floozy Gaye Dawn, and there's a fine feeling of postwar angst evoked by director John Huston. Frankly, this is well below Huston's best work and Raoul Walsh actually directed all the tank material. Although this ensemble piece doesn't really allow its stars to shine, any movie that pairs Bogey and Bacall, adds “Little Caesar” himself, and throws in Lionel Barrymore for good measure, has got to be good.
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"...A dark, claustrophobic thriller....John Huston directs with care, getting his pressure cooker up and bubbling, then letting it build towards the inevitable conclusion..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bogey gets a slap
'Key Largo' is about a group of gangsters who have taken over a hotel located on Key Largo. Along comes Bogey, who has come to visit the father of a war time pal who was killed, and of course, gets drawn into the drama.
Huston's cast is flawless. Bogart as Frank McCloud is suitably laid back and brave as he confronts the gangsters headed by Edward G. Robinson as Johnny Rocco. Lauren Bacall plays the widow of Bogey's war time friend and the venerable Lionel Barrymore is outstanding as Temple, the hotel proprietor. Claire Trevor plays Rocco's moll Gaye Dawn, an alcoholic former singer for which she deservedly won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Appearing as as Rocco's henchmen are veterans Thomas Gomez and Dan Seymour and Harry Lewis as Toots a 'Wilmer' type character (from 'The Maltese Falcon'). Monte Blue and John Rodney represent the law.
Bogart and Robinson appeared together many times during the 30s with Robinson usually playing the hero and Bogey the heavy. This times their roles are reversed. This film was unfortunately, the last time Bogart and Robinson appeared together. It's a pity because they always played against each other so well. I always liked Robinson better on the wrong side of the law. His Rocco is a slimey brutal villain. He even gets to slap Bogey around in this one. -
Most recent members' review
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We'd have queued in the rain for this one!
There was a time when a film could be rated on the grounds that it was well worth queueing in the rain for - and this is in that category. The performances put it there.
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