Raw Deal (1948)

Raw Deal
Directed by Anthony Mann
1948/USA
Edward Small Productions (as Reliance Pictures Inc.)
First viewing

[box] Joseph Emmett Sullivan: [referring to Ann] Keep your eye on Miss Law & Order here. She might go soprano on us.[/box]

I love it when a movie I have never heard of shows up and becomes a new favorite.  This fabulous B-noir is available now on Netflix Instant streaming and is not to be missed by fans of the genre.

Joe (Dennis O’Keefe) is itching to get out of prison for a breath of fresh air and to collect $50,000 owed to him by crime boss Rick (Raymond Burr).   At the same time, good-girl Ann (Marsha Hunt) has been visiting Joe and encouraging him to work for parole.  Rick has financed the escape with the thought that Joe will almost certainly be killed in the attempt and faithful moll Pat (Claire Trevor) is there to help with the getaway.

When Joe is forced to find a hideout, Pat and he run to Ann’s apartment and eventually flee with her as a kind of hostage.  The story follows the trio on the run as they evade the police and eventually confront Rick and his thugs.  The escape is complicated by the growing feelings between Ann and Joe and Pat’s jealousy.

I loved everything about this picture.  The story has unexpected twists and turns, with great noir dialogue and a poignant voice-over narration by Claire Trevor.  All the acting is good but my favorite is Raymond Burr in a chilling turn as the villain.  The cinematography by noir great John Alton is fantastic as is the unique theramin-dominated score.  My highest recommendation.

Clip – Raymond Burr and John Ireland – inspiration for the Big Heat?

Clip – showdown in the fog with theramin