Review of Key Largo (1948) by Paavo L — 24 Aug 2011

John Huston's KEY LARGO [1948]: Not long after the brilliant triple Oscar winning film THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE hit the box office in 1948, the film did poorly despite the extremely positive feedback from critics & the limited audience that saw it. The star of that film Humphrey Bogart even remarked that THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE had "An intelligent script, beautifully directed-something different-and the public turned a cold shoulder on it", for Bogart's close Friend and favorite director John Huston who's big Hollywood comeback after World War Two depended on the success of the film, despite becoming a critically acclaimed director needed to produce a film that would bring in dollars at the box office. So adapting Maxwell Anderson's 1939 Broadway Play KEY LARGO to the big screen, having the Bogart & Lauren Bacall romance on-screen for the fourth and final time, having the legendary Edward G. Robinson starring as a villainous Gangster and under the scripting and direction of Huston, KEY LARGO the 1948 film was a box-office success.

THE HUMPHREY BOGART FORTNIGHT.

Day Five: John Huston's KEY LARGO [1948]: As a hurricane swells on the Florida Keys isle of Key Largo outside a hotel were an intense situation swells between the hostages and captors, the simple but effective Film-Noir thriller KEY LARGO holds up well over 63 years after it was released. Having the iconic Bogart play a hero reluctant to stand up for a cause until later on in the film, having Bacall playing the strong spirited love interest and having Edward. G. Robinson playing a diabolical gangster, this Bogart starring and John Huston directed feature might not be on par with the likes of THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE [1948] or THE MALTESE FALCON [1941]. However it's striking and effective atmosphere, brilliant performances and stunning direction and cinema-photography makes this thriller a must see film starring Bogart. In the fifth instalment of my Humphrey Bogart marathon I'm taking a look at brilliant KEY LARGO today.

THE PLOTLINE.

When ex- U.S Army Major and World War Two Veteran Frank Mc Cloud (Bogart) passes through the Florida Keys he stops on the Isle of Key Largo to visit the family of a heroic solider he was once commanding officer of. Arriving at the Largo Hotel to meet the owner and father of the dead solider, the shady guests for some reason try to get him to leave. When Frank tells the guest why he is there, they tell inform him of were Mr Temple (Lionel Barrymore) and his daughter-in-law Nora (Lauren Bacall) are. After meeting with the pair about their heroic relative, Frank decides to leave but upon the instance of the pair, Frank becomes a guest of the hotel.

But the shady guests that previously troubled Frank try to act friendly towards him (even though Frank doesn't trust them). When the warning for a Hurricane that will soon bare down on The Keys comes to light, Frank, Nora and the disabled Mr Temple get ready for the storm when the phone rings. It turns out to be the police that are inquiring about the fugitives on the run, the shady guest turn out to be gangsters, the group become hostages. When the top and notorious gangster Johnny Rocco (Robinson), the leader of the crooks comes out of his hotel room the situation becomes really intense when the hurricane hits the Isle. Frank after seeing the brutal treatment of most of the hostages must overcome his doubts about being brave to save the day.

THE ACTING, SCRIPTING, DIRECTION, & THE CINEMA-PHOTOGRAPHY.

The performances in this film are just brilliant, and after all the entire plot demanded a strong cast to make the scenario work onscreen. Bogart who had played many reluctant heroes in numerous films gave a very good performance as the reluctant Frank McCloud. And after all as the focus of this review marathon Bogart might be the centre of attention, however the performance by Edward. G. Robinson is on par with Bogart. In fact Bogart had starred in close to four of Robinson's films by the time the two starred onscreen in this film for the last time. Robinson much like James Cagney became iconic for their numerous performances as gangster characters. Robinson gave another great performance in a role he became known for as a crooked Gangster. Bacall who had played many of the strong female romantic leads, especially in three of her previous roles alongside her husband Bogart gave another fine performance alongside her husband. The one notable thing amongst this great cast was that actress Claire Trevor who played Rocco's alcoholic and depressed lover Gaye Dawn won the best supporting Oscar for her role in this film, and all I can say is that she deserved it.

John Huston who co-wrote the screenplay to the film and directed the film was an iconic director in the Film-Noir style. Huston's direction of the cast and the use of claustrophobic black and white close ups in several intense scenes really helps to build the atmosphere and of course that brilliant tension alongside the casts terrific performances makes this film a good thrill ride.

The sign of a very good or great film is how well it works onscreen, Huston's adaptation of a stage play despite the story's enclosed setting works well onscreen. Overall KEY LARGO is one hell of a good John Huston directed and Bogart, Bacall & Robinson starring film that still holds up against the test of time. My rating for this classic film is a solid 80%.