"Key Largo" is one of three Humphrey Bogart noir mysteries that have become classic films. The other two are "The Petrified Forest" of 1936 and "The Maltese Falcon" of 1941. Besides being intriguing stories, all three films have other things in common. Most notably are the sizable casts of leading and top-drawer actors.
Besides Bogart, "The Falcon" had Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet and others. "The Forest" also had Leslie Howard, Bette Davis and others. "Key Largo" had Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor. She won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Gaye Dawn.
Bogart plays a former Army major who had served in Italy during WW and was a friend of James Temple's son, who was killed in the war. He has stopped by to see the senior Temple who is played by Lionel Barrymore. Bacall is his daughter-in-law Nora, who is the widow of his deceased son. Robinson plays Johnny Rocco a once big-time crime boss from the days of prohibition. He and his gang have taken over Temple's hotel in Key Largo where they are arranging an underworld trade. Trevor's Gaye Dawn is a one-time top club singer and girlfriend of Rocco. She has become an alcoholic in the years that Rocco has been away. He had been kicked out of the U.S.
There are many tense scenes in this fine film. Local police are checking for two Indians who have escaped from jail. A hurricane is developing. The local Indians have come to the hotel for shelter in the storm, only to be turned out by the gangsters. A good supporting cast play Rocco's sidekicks, and the intrigue intensifies until the very end. The film has an ending that comes as a bit of a surprise. But this is one very good, superbly acted, and interesting mystery thriller.
Besides Bogart, "The Falcon" had Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet and others. "The Forest" also had Leslie Howard, Bette Davis and others. "Key Largo" had Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor. She won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Gaye Dawn.
Bogart plays a former Army major who had served in Italy during WW and was a friend of James Temple's son, who was killed in the war. He has stopped by to see the senior Temple who is played by Lionel Barrymore. Bacall is his daughter-in-law Nora, who is the widow of his deceased son. Robinson plays Johnny Rocco a once big-time crime boss from the days of prohibition. He and his gang have taken over Temple's hotel in Key Largo where they are arranging an underworld trade. Trevor's Gaye Dawn is a one-time top club singer and girlfriend of Rocco. She has become an alcoholic in the years that Rocco has been away. He had been kicked out of the U.S.
There are many tense scenes in this fine film. Local police are checking for two Indians who have escaped from jail. A hurricane is developing. The local Indians have come to the hotel for shelter in the storm, only to be turned out by the gangsters. A good supporting cast play Rocco's sidekicks, and the intrigue intensifies until the very end. The film has an ending that comes as a bit of a surprise. But this is one very good, superbly acted, and interesting mystery thriller.