High Sierra
Directed by Raoul Walsh. US. 1948. NR. 126 min.
- Sun, Feb 21, 2:00 pm
If Angels with Dirty Faces featured Bogie in one of his best bad guy roles, then this gangster classic presents the first incarnation of the persona that he made his own, the good bad guy. This film, beautifully written by John Huston before he became a director, gave Bogie his first big starring role, as “Mad Dog” Roy Earl, a world-weary ex-con called in for one last job in a world that has greatly changed. His portrayal, modeled after the fabled bank robber, John Dillinger, adds a surprising layer of sensitivity and compassion to his already patented tough-guy reputation, as he comes to the aid of a seemingly sweet teenager, Joan Leslie, as well as love-stricken gun-moll co-star Ida Lupino. With a top cast of such Warner Brothers’ featured players as Arthur Kennedy, Barton MacLane and Cornel Wilde, this action-filled drama made Hollywood, and the world, realize that Bogart could carry a great film on his shoulders, and led to his subsequent teaming with Huston on such classics as The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. (Bill Roth)