Aging gangster, "Mad Dog" Roy Earle (Humphrey Bogart), is sprung from prison by
a governor's pardon that was paid for by kingpin, Donald MacBride.
MacBride wants him to knock over an exclusive resort motel. He can't do it
alone, so MacBride hires him some help. Unfortunately, they're just a
bunch of punk kids green behind the ears. On the way to the meeting place,
Bogart nearly has a wreck with a dirt poor family that happens to have a very
attractive (and manipulating) daughter. Bogart falls for her. At the
same time, a girl that came with one of his crew members (Ida Lupino) falls for
him. You can probably see where this is going.
George Raft and Paul Muni both passed on the role of "Mad Dog" Roy Earle, but
lucky for us the lesser known Bogart picked it up and he's great. His
co-star from the previous year's THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT, Ida Lupino might have
gotten the top-billing, but he's clearly the star here as the worn down gangster
with a noble heart. That's not to say that Lupino isn't great also, cause
I think she's always awesome. Anyway, great movie, somewhat dated,
excellent supporting cast, quick pace and Bogart's real life dog, Zero, is cute
as a button!
Remake 1 - Colorado Territory (1949)
Remake 2 - I Died a Thousand Times (1955)
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