Deadline - U.S.A. (1952)

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Ever since I heard a year ago that Deadline - U.S.A. was finally getting a DVD release I was thrilled, I set a reminder on my phone and pre-ordered; I couldn't wait to finally watch one of the Bogie films that had eluded me for years. Directed by Richard Brooks in 1952 and starring, along with Bogart, Ethel Barrymore, and Kim Hunter, Deadline - U.S.A. explores the quest an editor and a few reporters embark upon to save their newspaper. One of the more emotionally varied roles of Humphrey Bogart, Deadline - U.S.A. is a pure treat for fans of cinema.Ed Hutcheson (Humphrey Bogart) is a hardened editor who has devoted his life and his happiness to the New York Day, the daily paper that has consumed his life for years. When it is made public that the paper is going to be sold, many reporters flee looking for other work, some stick around trying to finish their current stories. At first, Hutcheson accepts incoming unemployment with trepidatious willfulness, thinking that he will finally be able to have a life and hopefully resume his marriage with his ex-wife, Nora (Kim Hunter). He seeks her out after a night of drinking through his woes over the paper's sale, only to find out that she will be marrying another. When one of his reporters is badly beaten, Hutcheson knows that there is more to a story he was pursuing than initially imagined. Hutcheson commits to uncovering the truth, and his small band of remaining reporters are just as determined. The troupe soon finds out that a gangster that has run the city for years is behind the beating and attempted suppression of Hutcheson and his team. A committed team of crusaders Hutcheson only has three issues left to solve the case and save the paper.Years of waiting for the DVD release of Deadline - U.S.A. was not for naught, as I would rank it among one of Bogart's best roles. He was as much a detective in this film as he was in The Big Sleep. The determination and drive Bogart embodied with this role was phenomenal, and a role that only Bogart could have fulfilled--he completely steals the show. Not only was Bogart just as much of a detective in this role as he is in his famous detective roles, but he was also more gangster. Such a wonderful tightrope walk between physically imposing and intellectually threatening, Bogart proves his acting mastery. The Humphrey Bogart Eyes moment happens when Bogart has dinner with his ex-wife, who he is still trying to convince to come back to him. Nora shares with him her desire to be "enough" for someone. She knows she will never be enough for Hutcheson because he is constantly consumed by the paper. The second time he is pulled away from their dinner to answer an urgent phone call is proof enough for Nora and she leaves the restaurant before he returns from his call. The look Bogart's eyes emote in the moment that he realizes he may have lost the last chance with his one true love is absolute perfection. Anyone that has ever suffered a broken heart knows that this Humphrey Bogart Eyes moment is a perfect illustration of the pain in his heart at that moment.

Up until this afternoon, I though the best journalism movie was 'All the President's Men'. But when I watched this movie on cable TV, I was proved wrong. 'All the Presidents's Men' comes close, but 'Deadline - U.S.A.' is much better.The movie is about a big city Newspaper called 'The Day' that is about to close and be sold to the rival, because of the owners' heirs. But 'The Day' editor (Humphrey Bogart) tries to prevent the closing down of the newspaper by investigating a gangster, Thomas Rienzi. Going from this, the story takes lots of unexpected turns, with an excellent character's development and mix-up of events. The whole supporting cast is marvelous, so is Bogey. No one really stands out, because they all did an excellent job. It's one of those movies where people doesn't seem to be acting, because everything looks so natural. The working environment on 'The Day' looks very real, it seems like you are there investigating with Bogey and his crew.I always liked Richard Brooks, and after this one, I'm definitely gonna watch much more of his movies. 'In Cold Blood' and 'Cat On a Hot Tin Roof' are between my favorite movies, and this one definitely joined the list. In every other aspect the movie is also marvelous, from the editing to the cinematography, from the art-direction to the set- decoration.Overral, this is an excellent movie that is a perfect tribute to the journalism profession. The best journalistic movie I've ever seen, with everything looking so natural. It is also great to see how the newspapers worked back in the day. It's a shame that it isn't on DVD yet.10/10. Absolutely perfect.

Deadline - U.S.A. (1952) *** (out of 4) Hard hitting if overly political drama from writer/director Richard Brooks. Humphrey Bogart plays an editor of a major newspaper who learns that the company is being sold. With nothing else to lose, the editor goes after a racketeer (Martin Gabel) who has been fixing elections. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film but I pleasantly surprised to see how much I enjoyed it. Brooks' script has some terrific dialogue that manages some nice speeches but also has some nice action along the way. Bogart turns in one of his best performances in a rather low-toned character that doesn't resort to shouting. There's a lot of acting through body movement and facial gestures, which makes the character feel all the more deep. The supporting cast is equally good and includes Ethel Barrymore, Kim Hunter and Ed Begley. If you look fast you can spot James Dean at the start of the film standing behind Jim Backus who would play his father in Rebel Without a Cause.

A big disappointment, this "save the newspaper story with one big expose against a corrupt politician" was boring - the ultimate sin in a film. Also, I found none of the characters likable: no one to root for, despite the presence of some famous actors I like. The cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Ethel Barrymore, Kim Hunter, Ed Begley, Warren Stevens and Jim Backus.Most of them simply talk too much and do too little. It also has a blasphemous scene early on when they hold a "wake" for the paper and smugly use Christian terms (i.e. "saved") irreverently, just to get some cheap laughs. I'm surprised they got away with this since the Hays Code was still very much in effect in 1952.