Directed by Archie Mayo
Written by Charles Kenyon and Delmer Daves based on a play by Robert E. Sherwood
1936/USA
Warner Bros.
First viewing
[box] Jackie Cooper: Now, just behave yourself and nobody’ll get hurt. This is Duke Mantee, the world-famous killer, and he’s hungry![/box]
This stage-bound hostage movie is notable for Humphrey Bogart’s break-out performance.
Alan Squier (Leslie Howard), a world-weary failed writer, hitchhikes his way to the Black Mesa Cafe. There he is captivated by the youth and enthusiasm of Gabrielle Maple (Bette Davis), daughter of the proprietor. Into the isolated café comes fugitive murderer Duke Mantee (Humphrey Bogart) and his henchmen. The patrons and the criminals begin to form a little community under fire.
The dialogue was too flowery and the camera work was too static for my taste. Bette Davis and Leslie Howard did quite well with the material, however. You can tell why Humphrey Bogart, with his intense eyes and immense energy, would have a great success in this part. The studio had wanted Edward G. Robertson for the role and we can thank Leslie Howard for demanding that Bogart reprise his stage role. Bogart never forgot the gesture and named his daughter Leslie in Howard’s honor.
Trailer
Very stage-bound indeed but how can you go wrong with Bogie. Leslie Howard was just a bit too world weary for me but not enough to make me dislike the character. I know there must be a reason but why did Bogie hold his arms away from his side the way he did in this film. That was not the way he walked….I thought it looked awkward.
Bogie looked different altogether with his very dark hair and beard. His walk must have been part of the character, too.