In a Lonely Place (1950)

ridiculous rating

A Brilliant Conflict

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The first half was about whether Bogart was accused of murdering the waitress he took home to his house that night. Then we don't get an answer as to who committed the murder and the second half is this love interest between him and this other girl that doesn't go anywhere either. I'm confused.

This is an outstanding film. It is well directed, and the cat is given an excellent script.Martha Stewart had very few film roles, but makes the most of a few brief moments with Bogie before her murder. That crime then dominates the entire film plot, with Grahame even questioning who done it? Watch for a young James Arness in the police station as a sort of junior officer serving coffee, housekeeping, and doing other chores.Jeff Donnell is very effective as an actress in this one too. She is a detectives wife who is busy analyzing Bogart and Grahame. Bogart is really a character here, violent and uncontrolled at times, and always in a hurry. Why the speed? Watch the movie to find out.The leading cast is so good, that you have to watch intently to pick up on clues leading to the surprise at the end.

In A lonely Place is one of those Bogart pictures I always seem to miss for one reason or another. I've watched this immortal talented natural actor work for years. From his early role in The Enchanted Forest then fighting the law in High Sierra or playing the dashing Rick in Casablanca or fighting a corrupt boxing world in his final film The Harder They Fall, Bogart performances are forthcoming and you seem to see it his way whether right or wrong.. On the other hand Co-Star Gloria Grahame developed her own resume of work throughout her career despite her stormy personal life with four failed marriages . The first time I laid eyes on this attractive woman was in the popular Christmas film It's A Wonderful life as the flirtatious woman of Bedford Falls. Gloria was predominantly used in pictures playing a gun mole in 1950's film noir. The Big Heat comes to mind when she gets boiling water splashed on her face. Here the two are playing a game of trust. Their relationship starts with a murder as the two are brought in for questioning as Bogart playing slumping screen writer Dixon Steele. Moreover Steele has a quick temper and would sock any antagonist at the drop of a hat. Steele through the years has a rap sheet from the law for bar room fights on numerous occasions. The detectives are perturbed by Steele's cool demeanor during questioning as he was last seen with the murdered woman the night before. Throughout the picture you question whether or not Steele committed the murder. Gloria Grahame's Character (Laurel Gray) was equally as coy and evasive with the two bewildered detectives. Not rattled or frazzled by the law she was strong and direct equally as Bogart was in his interrogation. Laurel Gray was the only person who saw the two together that night at the apartments. She felt that Steele was innocent and Steele is released on lack of evidence. As for the murder victim Mildred Atkinson played by Martha Stewart, (not to be confused with the popular homemaker/TV house planner.), Her opening performance as a restaurant hat check girl was strong and direct against the low keyed Bogart. The love dialogue was so eloquently presented as Grahame and Bogart relationship blossoms but that doubt was haunting the Grahame/Laurel Gray character throughout. The grapefruit cutting scene is a personal favorite of mine in the film. The only problem I had with the movie is Bogart's age is showing as he's 50 years old wrinkles and receding hair line apparent against Grahame who is only 30. Fine supporting role by Art Smith as Press agent/ long time friend Mel Lippman. Lippman plays the voice of reason for the irrational behavior of Steele. Unfortunately even Lippman gets a bloody face as tempers flare. Gray's dubious behavior mounts as Steele's unruly furor is about to erupt in a violent rage or will he? Great screenplay by Edmund H. North as Bogart kept his lines close to the original novel as possible. One of Bogart's finest .performances .

I am unsure why this film is receiving such high marks as a film noir. For me, this has to be one of the most boring noirs I have ever seen, and as a noir buff, I've seen dozens and dozens of films noir. The entire movie takes place in the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes. The remaining middle of the movie can be excised without affecting the outcome at all. This movie doesn't seem to know what it wants to be: mystery, drama, crime story, or comedy. The music is childish and cartoonish and often intrusive.The only aspect of this movie that makes it worth watching is Bogie's slow 'crash and burn' as Dix Steele, who realizes how shallow his relationships with others are, even the woman he loves, played by the unbelievably wooden and amateurish Gloria Grahame.She is supposed to be a woman living in fear that she might have gotten involved with a murderer but there is no love in her, or fear, or happiness, or any other emotion for that matter. I find myself not caring one iota about her and wondering why Dix even bothered pursuing her in thee first place.The rest of the cast is a mélange of interchangeable, immediately forgettable characters that add very little to the story. There are 2 cops on the case, but one would have been plenty. We have the obligatory drunk friend who adds nothing at all, except for the minuscule comedy relief, which is not welcome here, and the balance of the cast is just filler material. The only exception being Dix's agent Mel who is surprisingly realistic.All in all, a very forgettable film. Too bad, because Bogart is awesome.