“Key Largo” is a film noir drama about a World War II veteran visiting Key Largo, Florida, to pay his respects to a fellow soldier killed in action. Soon after arriving, he realizes that a big-time gangster is living at the hotel owned by the widow’s father, and is threatening to take over the place. Sparks fly from there, well directed by John Huston (“The Maltese Falcon” 1941), who co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Brooks. Huston took an obscure 1939 stage play by Maxwell Anderson and turned it into one of the best motion pictures of all time.
The cast is headed by the incomparable pair, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, whose talent and chemistry on film are unmatched. Co-stars include Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore, and Claire Trevor, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, the film’s only Academy Award. Also joining in the fun are Thomas Gomez, Harry Lewis, John Rodney, Marc Lawrence, Dan Seymour, Jay Silverheels, and Monte Blue as the sheriff of Key Largo Island.
Cinematographer Karl Freund used imaginative lighting and special effects to simulate the build-up of the hurricane outside Hotel Largo. There was also quite a build-up of steamy drama and tension inside the hotel. Great movie fun! The very watchable “Key Largo” was a big hit at the box office for producer Jerry Wald and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Key Largo (1948)
cinema
My Review
“Key Largo” is a film noir drama about a World War II veteran visiting Key Largo, Florida, to pay his respects to a fellow soldier killed in action. Soon after arriving, he realizes that a big-time gangster is living at the hotel owned by the widow’s father, and is threatening to take over the place. Sparks fly from there, well directed by John Huston (“The Maltese Falcon” 1941), who co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Brooks. Huston took an obscure 1939 stage play by Maxwell Anderson and turned it into one of the best motion pictures of all time.
The cast is headed by the incomparable pair, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, whose talent and chemistry on film are unmatched. Co-stars include Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore, and Claire Trevor, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, the film’s only Academy Award. Also joining in the fun are Thomas Gomez, Harry Lewis, John Rodney, Marc Lawrence, Dan Seymour, Jay Silverheels, and Monte Blue as the sheriff of Key Largo Island.
Cinematographer Karl Freund used imaginative lighting and special effects to simulate the build-up of the hurricane outside Hotel Largo. There was also quite a build-up of steamy drama and tension inside the hotel. Great movie fun! The very watchable “Key Largo” was a big hit at the box office for producer Jerry Wald and Warner Bros. Pictures.