Key
Largo
Selection for the Weekend of
February 2 - 4, 2001
This week's selection is probably not a surprise to movie lovers.
Key Largo is a classic in every sense
of the word. Legendary actors, great success and the fact that people still
talk about it 50 years later raises Key
Largo to that status. However, there are many of you who have
never seen it.
Sure, you have heard the song. "We had it all, just like Bogie and Bacall."
However, you should take 2 hours to watch this amazing thriller instead of
being misled by '70's pop.
Humphrey Bogart stars as Frank McCloud, a World War II vet who has wandered
around the country since coming back from Italy a few years ago. By all accounts,
he battled in the worst campaigns and emerged as a hero. Now, he has found
his way down south to Key Largo, the southern most point of the United States,
off the Florida coast (yeah, down where you parrotheads can find Jimmy Buffet).
In Key Largo, he meets up with the widow
and father of his war buddy. Nora (Lauren Bacall) has stayed true to her
dead husband, and Mr. Temple (Lionel Barrymore) has never forgotten him.
His death has left a great void in their lives, but they live together and
run Mr. Temple's hotel on the beach.
It's the off-season, so the hotel is empty and the weather is dangerous.
However, a strange group of men have rented out the entire hotel, even though
they only need a few rooms. They are on a fishing vacation or are they?
Turns out that these men are a group of gangsters, led by the notorious Johnny
Rocco (Edward G. Robinson). Rocco used be a big cheese, but he was run out
the country. Now, he has a deal that will return him to glory.
When a hurricane rolls in, will everyone be safe? Will Bogie, Bacall and
Barrymore discover the truth about Johnny Rocco?
I have to admit I made a mistake. I should have brought you this film last
week, the 102nd anniversary of Bogie's birthday. He was a magical, yet, strange
screen legend. Bogie didn't have matinee idol looks like Gable, but he had
a great talent and unique charisma that simmered just below the surface.
He does a good job in this film, as does Bacall. However,
Key Largo belongs to Robinson and Claire
Trevor.
Robinson is amazing. Audiences were used to seeing him play the tough guy,
but Key Largo gives him an opportunity
to show the character's vulnerable side. Watch and contrast his performance
as Rocco brags to McCloud about his past, then cowers as the storm rolls
in. It's captivating.
Trevor won an Oscar for her performance. This turned out to be the high point
of her career, after starring in many B-level films with a few memorable
ones thrown in. She plays Gay Dawn, a chorus girl who had a chance at stardom
destroyed by her addiction to alcohol. It's a gritty performance and one
that was harsher than a "typical" female role at the time. Trevor has one
of film history's greatest and most tragic scenes when Dawn has to beg Rocco
for a drink.
Do yourself a favor, and rent Key Largo
tonight.
Grade: A
Directed by John Huston
Written by Richard Brooks and John Huston
Based on the play by Maxwell Anderson
Cast
Humphrey Bogart
.
Frank McCloud
Lauren Bacall
... Nora Temple
Edward G. Robinson
.... Johnny Rocco
Lionel Barrymore
.
Mr. Temple
Claire Trevor
... Gay Dawn
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