Dead Reckoning (1947)

Great movie!

I'm a big Bogart fan, but this is one I'd never seen before. Lizabeth Scott's hair, makeup, basically entire look was reminiscent of Lauren Bacall in "To Have and Have Not." Bogart was perfect -- great flick! July 8, 2008

Echoes of Bogart's earlier films

Dead Reckoning will be enjoyed by any Bogart fan, though it's not one of his best films. Very nice to see his friendly enthusiasm with another character toward the beginning of the film, and that moment where he (almost)lets himself fall in love with the femme fatale near the end. I was fascinated by several instances where the writers directly lift dialog or scenes from Bogart's earlier films with Bacall and also from the closing scene of the Maltese Falcon. The film is not a parody, but it's borrowing so directly from others gives it a very interesting sense of deja vu, and makes the viewer wonder exactly what they were up to in doing this. I hadn't heard of the film before, so was very pleased to discover another film by Bogart many years after first watching his films on my little black and white set on Five All Night, Boston's first all-night station way back when! January 20, 2008

deja vu, all over again

Elsewhere in this space I have noted my love for film noir. The black and white photography, the story lines, the sparse and functional language. However, not all film noir is created equal and that is the case here. Humphrey Bogart was a classic match for the genre-tough, rugged, resolute, loyal and always loyal to a pal come what may. Such roles as Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep or Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon come to mind. Here he tries to milk that work without being a detective but with the same qualities as he tries to defend the honor of a fallen and maligned fellow soldier. Add Lizabeth Scott as the femme fatale who jams up the works and you would seemingly have the makings of a fine film. When the plot holds interest to a point there is a very strong sense of déjà vu from previous work. If you want to see the film noir master at work then see Bogie in The Big Sleep or The Maltese Falcon. Save this one for back up.



July 29, 2007

Noir for Noir Fans

As "Dead Reckoning" opens, Humphrey Bogart is a U.S. Army Captain, chasing one of his men who has gone AWOL. The trail leads to an eponymous Southern town, where HB finds the guy has been murdered! There are good early noir scenes: the dark church, dreary morgue, dingy hotel room, menacing cops-and a beautiful woman! She is none other than the classic good girl/bad girl, Lizabeth Scott. (Bogey narrates DR throughout via flashback while telling his tale to a fatherly Army chaplain). Bogey's Southern trip leads to a strange brew of murder, lies, conceit, double-cross, blackmail - and a secret marriage! Scott is at the heart of it all and plays her role to the hilt. She and Bogey make a nice pair and overshadow the supporting cast. Other reviewers have compared Scott to Lauren Bacall. This reviewer is an LS fan. It says here that to compare the two ladies is to compliment Miss Bacall! This review won't divulge the ending. Does Bogey find out who murdered his buddy? Folks will just have to watch for themselves. DR is definitely recommended for noir fans. Those new to the genre may be somewhat less satisfied but the movie may just make some new fans too. If DR has a weakness, it lies in that awkward fadeout. What were the suits at Columbia Pictures thinking? It must have been a last minute substitute for the original. A final question: Was Marvin Miller (the guy who played the heavy, Krause), the same fellow from the 50s TV drama "The Millionaire"?
June 6, 2007

A long way behind "Gilda" in likability...

"Dead Reckoning" is somewhat of a rehashing of the plots and dialog of "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Big Sleep," but it contains much more visual violence... It is a typical Hollywood film noir of the post-war but a long way behind "Gilda" in likability...

Bogart is again portraying his now all-too-familiar role of the sardonic cynic with his own moral code who, this time, is on the trail of a killer who has murdered a wartime paratrooper friend...

Lizabeth Scott is cast as Bogart's femme fatale, obviously hoping to exploit her close resemblance to Lauren Bacall... Unfortunately, like Bacall, her first few films found her equally awkward and expressionless...

December 25, 2006

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