Road House (1948)

Road House
Directed by Jean Negulesco
Written by Edward Chodorov; story by Margaret Gruen and Oscar Saul
1948/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/Fox Film Noir DVD

 

[box] Susie: She does more without a voice than anybody I’ve ever heard![/box]

Ida Lupino’s gravelly rendition of “One for My Baby” is worth the price of admission to this otherwise average noir. Richard Widmark adds a little dash of crazy.

‘Jefty’ Robbins (Widmark) proudly brings his discovery Lily Stevens (Lupino) to headline as a lounge singer at his road house.  He enlists old friend and club manager Pete Morgan (Cornel Wilde) to show her a good time.  Bad idea.  Anyway, Pete initially tries to bribe her to leave town.  Lily is a no-nonsense businesswoman and insists on the terms of her contract.  She sings and becomes a big draw with the public.  Jefty makes with the flowers and serving her breakfast in bed.

Jefty decides to go on a hunting trip to think things over and insists that Pete teach Lily how to bowl.  Later, it is Lily that serves Pete breakfast in bed.  She tags along on a swimming outing planned by club accountant Susie (Celeste Holm in the most thankless role ever played by a recent Oscar winner) and Pete.  When she puts on her sarong Pete melts.

Jefty returns from his trip with an engagement ring for Lily but by then Lily is already engaged to Pete.  Jefty gets revenge by framing Pete for robbing the till.  The revenge continues as Jefty arranges for Pete to be paroled under his none too subtle supervision.

Ida Lupino’s bowling outfit – no foolin’

This is pretty good but not outstanding.  The best parts are Ida Lupino’s singing (she does three numbers), the general atmosphere, and when Richard Widmark wigs out at the end in his hunting cabin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Q71t5D8ko

Clip -It’s all in the attitude …