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Key Largo on DVD (1948)
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Radio Times
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. Total Film "...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
Moody melodrama on similar lines to To Have and Have Not: it sums up the post-war mood of despair, allows several good acting performances, and builds up to a pretty good action climax. Members ReviewsReviews Voted Most HelpfulMost Recent Reviews |
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