In A Lonely Place

[Feraud]

This is one of my favorite Bogart films. This is not one of those gangster or detective roles that have become legend. This is a film that showcases Humphrey Bogart the actor. It is films like Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Caine Muitiny, and In A Lonely Place that are the highlights of Humphrey Bogart's career.

In this film Bogart plays the role of an aggressive screen writer who is accused of murder until a neighbor provides a convenient alibi. Gloria Graham is the neighbor who believes in Steele and falls in love with him. As the flaws in Bogarts character arise Gloria Graham starts to doubt his innocence and fear for her safety.
Saturday evening at 10 p.m. on TCM.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Brub

The book is good, too. It is in print and probably at your local library. No cable at my house but I'll get the video from, um, the library.

 

[Feraud]

Did anyone else besides me watch this??

 

[drafttek]

I watched it as well. I thought it very good. I had never seen it before. As the character's violent nature became more evident I started to wonder if I had missed something earlier in the movie and Steele did do it. He seemed quite capable. I thought Graham was a goner for sure.

 

[Godfrey Park]

This is an excellent movie that showcases Bogart's acting ability. Heck, even his only friend even has trouble completely believing he didn't do it after the dinner 'conversation'.

 

[Feraud]

The character of Dixon Steele certainly had the capability and issues to commit such a crime.

To keep this spoiler free I will refrain from talking about the ending!!

Steele sent flowers to the girl he was accused of murdering. We never saw who actually committed the crime. The film is not as much a "Who done it" than a "Did HE do it?"
Later in the film he sends money to the young man he put in the hospital and nearly killed on the roadside. We definitely saw him do that!
Do these two occurences make you think Steele had more of a passing interest in the young girl's murder than an altruistic sympathy?

 

[Godfrey Park]

I think he felt what remorse his conscience (or lack thereof) allowed since he sent her out into the cold night with cab fare instead of being a gentleman and escorting her there. Basically, when he was through with her, he gave her the "bum's rush" so he wouldn't be annoyed by her any longer.

 

[kools]

Man, I can't believe I hadn't seen this film until just now. I recorded it last week & just watched it today. I don't know if it's his best film, but his acting is as good as ever!

 

[Feraud]

Isn't it amazing when you discover a great film and think, "how did I miss this one?"

 

[BegintheBeguine]

It's even featured on an episode of Law & Order: SVU.

 

[Jack Scorpion]

Seen it many times. One of my all-time favorite noirs.

 

[Feraud]

In a Lonely Place will be on this Monday the 25th at 1:30 p.m.!

 

[Doh!]

Caught it recently on the big screen at LACMA -- great movie. I agree about Bogie's performance; it truly shows him as a great actor, and not just an icon.

It's pretty hard to watch, though; I wasn't expecting that level of violence from him. But ironically, I think it would've worked better with an even DARKER ending.

 

[ScionPI2005]

I watched for the first time probably four or so months ago. I definitely want to buy that one someday. I definitely agree that it is one of the highlights of Bogart.

 

[Jack Scorpion]

I think the reason Bogart is so good in it is that he is basically playing a "real life," and even satirical, version of his usual tough guy role. What was his name in it again? Dix Steel?

 

[Nathan Dodge]

In a Lonely Place was one of many Noirs I saw in 1999 during TCM's (legendary to me) "Summer of Darkness" airing of many, many classic and obscure Noirs from the classic period. Aside from the major points like the acting, dialogue, etc., I was really taken in by the little details like the roadways, the bungalow that Dix lived in and probably the earliest example of "road rage" on film. It's still brutal to me. One of the all-time great Noirs and Nicholas Ray is one of the great underrated directors. I can't reccomend this movie enough.

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Short notice I know, but In a Lonely Place is on TCM today (EST) at 1:30pm.

 

[Dr Doran]

one of my faves, loved it for years.

 

[Dinerman]

Anyone else know the Smithereens song based on the movie?

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Anyone else know the Smithereens song based on the movie?

Yes, the song includes something akin to the film's classic coda, as spoken by Gloria Grahame's character.

The Smithereens also did a song based on the 1960 Kirk Douglas film "Strangers When We Meet."