Review of High Sierra (1941) by Jay N — 09 Jul 2011

Excellent crime drama/early film noir. This was the first in Bogey's 1-2-3 punch that took him from resident Warners tough guy villian to one of the studio's leading romantic stars. He plays Roy "Mad Dog" Earle perfectly showing him as ruthless when necessary but with a core of decency that hasn't been ruined by years of hard knocks.

Matching him every step of the way is the always outstanding Ida Lupino in one of her best portrayals. Her Marie is a classic hard luck case, tough on the outside but vunerable underneath. She and Bogart are an ideal match, a shame then that this was there last film together and the only one where they were paired as equals.

The rest of the cast is terrific in support, including Joan Leslie, a variable actress but well used here as a seemingly nice girl who is exposed as a thoughtless, shallow grabber. Walsh's direction is aces as well with wonderful use of shadows and spaces to convey the isolation of the characters.

First rate in every way.