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1941
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HIGH
SIERRA
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STARRING:HUMPRHEY
BOGART,IDA LUPINO,ALAN CURTIS,ARTHUR KENNEDY,JOAN LESLIE,HENRY
HULL,HENRY TRAVERS,CORNEL WILDE, WILLIE BEST,DONALD MACBRIDE
BASED
ON THE NOVEL BY W.R. BURNETT
SCREENPLAY
BY W.R. BURNETT & JOHN HUSTON
DIRECTED
BY RAOUL WALSH
GENRE:CRIME/ROMANCE/THRILLER
RATED:AUSTRALIA:PG/UK:PG/USA:APPROVED
RUNNING
TIME:100 MIN
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1941
would prove to be the breakthrough year for Jon Huston and Humphrey
Bogart, with High Sierra their first collaboration that was
quickly followed by the ground breaking The
Maltese Falcon.
Bogart stars as Roy Earl, a notorious bank robber who - due to the
political influence from his boss Big Mac (Donald McBride) - is granted
a pardon from prison in order to do one last job leading an inexperienced
crew in the robbery of a hotel located in a wealthy resort town in
California.
To claim that High Sierra is a movie of its time is an understatement.
The film contains an offensive portrayal of African Americans in Willie
Best's lazy, bug eyed, "Yes, sir" spouting cabin hand (might
as well have him do a jig while he is up there); women are portrayed
as quivering dames who beg their tough men lovers to hit them if they
become a nuisance; and -true to form in films released during this
period- Adolph Deutsch has composed an over the top score which ruins
the mood established in key scenes.
Yet despite its flaws, I found High Sierra to be a very good
film due to its engrossing story, the conflicted nature of its characters,
and the impeccable performances by Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, and
Joan Leslie.
Special mention should be given to the films romance sub-plots which
are an intriguing watch, especially between Bogart's Roy and Joan
Leslie's Velma, a virtuous young lady who Roy wants to marry and begin
a crime free family life. In order to win her heart, Roy funs an operation
to have her club foot repaired. Yet although forever thankful she
does not return his love, and so Roy turns to Lupino's Marie, a streetwise
dame who is vying for Roy's affections. Bogart's scenes with both
actresses unveiled a sensitive side to the actor who was usually delegated
thug roles, and in turn Bogart would not only give one of his better
performances but would also set himself on a course to be cast in
films such as Casablanca and The Treasure of the
Sierra Madre.
A film best viewed within its historical context and recommended for
fans of 1940's crime pictures. |
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