ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT: Gangsters vs. Nazis

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT (Blu-ray)

1942 / 107 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Gangsters versus Nazis? Count this guy in.

Though I’ve seen plenty of Humphrey Bogart movies in my time, this one somehow escaped my radar until now...maybe yours, too. Released during Bogey’s greatest decade, the 1940s, All Through the Night may not be as widely remembered or revered as Casablanca, Treasure of the Sierra Madre and all those film noir classics, but damn, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

He plays “Gloves” Donahue, a professional gambler with a shady reputation among the police, though he is well liked by the locals. When his favorite cheesecake maker is found brutally murdered, he trails a mysterious woman, Leda Hamilton (Kaaren Verne), who appears to know who might be behind it. At the nightclub where she sings, another man is shot and killed by Pepi (Peter Lorre), the same guy who did the baker. But because Donahue leaves one of his trademark gloves behind, he is the prime suspect.

In order to clear his name and nail the real killer, Donahue and some of his crew track Pepi and Leda down at an antique auction house, where they discover a big ol’ nest o’ Nazis led by Hall Ebbing (Conrad Veidt). Worse yet, Leda and the baker appear to be part of that group. But worst of all…the Nazis are about to stage an attack on America by blowing up a battleship. Everything culminates in an exciting climax in which Donahue gathers all his gangster friends to try and thwart Ebbing’s plans.

"Sorry, sir...your card has been declined."

It’s a great story with plenty of surprises and twists. However, none of it is as dire as it sounds. Despite all the action, violence and suspense, the overall tone is actually pretty light. There’s a big emphasis on comedy, mostly through its witty screenplay and amusing performances. Bogart and co-star William Demarest (playing right-hand-man “Sunshine”) are especially amusing together, particularly a hilarious scene where they end up fast-talking their way through a Nazi meeting. In fact, the whole cast of reliable character actors is enjoyable (including an early role for Jackie Gleason). 

One of Warner Archive’s better Blu-ray releases this year, All Through the Night features a good transfer and some great archival bonus features (outlined below). Though seldom mentioned among other classics of the era, it’s a fast-paced, consistently entertaining mash-up of thriller, comedy and just a dash of film noir.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Call the Usual Suspects is a wonderful tribute to classic character actors, with an emphasis on All Through the Night.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Vincent Sherman and Humphrey Bogard biographer Eric Lax.

SHORT - So You Want to Give Up Smoking

LOONEY TUNES SHORT - Lights Fantastic

1942 NEWSREEL

TRAILER

ULTIMATE GANGSTERS COLLECTION is Essential Viewing

ULTIMATE GANGSTERS COLLECTION: CLASSICS (Blu-ray)

1931-1949 / 357 min (4 movies)

Warner Bros (of course)

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😸

During Hollywood’s classic era, MGM was synonymous with musicals, while Universal was renowned for its monsters. Warner Bros chose a darker path, establishing itself as the premier purveyor of gangster films. This indispensable five-disc set, originally released in 2013, collects four of their most iconic examples with generally excellent restorations and a slew of entertaining bonus features. Now that it’s back in print, it’s a must-grab for gangster fans who might’ve missed it the first time around.

Kicking things off is 1931’s Little Caesar, which is pretty much the movie that started it all (once talkies took over, anyway). It also turned Edward G. Robinson into a star. His oft-imitated (and parodied) turn as ruthless rising gangster Rico Bandello remains one of his most memorable, and the movie itself, while comparatively quaint, established the template for what was to come (it’s hard to imagine either version of Scarface without it). 

That same year brought The Public Enemy, which did for James Cagney’s career what Little Caesar did for Robinson’s. He’s electrifying as ambitious career criminal Tom Powers, who, along with childhood buddy Matt Doyle (Edward Woods), achieve wealth and power as prohibition era bootleggers. Though not nearly as violent as its reputation suggests, this is a dark film with tragic underpinnings, as exemplified through Powers’ tumultuous relationships with his disapproving brother, Mike (Donald Cook) and doting mother (Beryl Mercer). The revenge-driven final act is still a stunner. Then, of course, there’s that classic grapefruit scene.

While Humphrey Bogart is best remembered for playing antiheroes and romantic leads, he made his first big splash as a cold-blooded villain. He doesn't actually have the lead role in 1936’s The Petrified Forest, but he lights up the screen and steals the entire movie from his bigger (at the time) co-stars. Set mostly in a remote diner where on-the-lam killer Duke Mantee holds assorted patrons hostage, the movie is occasionally stymied by melodrama, but it’s obvious Bogey was destined for greater things.

Cody welcomes his new neighbors.

While all the films in this collection are classics, 1949’s White Heat is an inarguable masterpiece. As psychotically unstable gang leader Cody Jarrett, James Cagney makes Tom Powers appear downright benevolent. Yet at the same time, despite his violent and vindictive nature, Jarrett is a complex character whose dependence on his domineering mother (Margaret Wycherly) has disturbing undertones and renders him somewhat sympathetic. The compelling story is tension filled, fast moving and comes to one of the most memorable climaxes in movie history. Featuring an excellent supporting cast, tough, violent action and strong direction by Raoul Walsh, this ranks among the greatest gangster movies ever made.

One could easily list other great Warner Bros gangster movies that are just as worthy for including in this collection, but it’s hard to argue with the choices here. All of them are exemplary films of the genre, featuring iconic performances by three legendary tough guys. The video and audio transfers are excellent, though I’m assuming that Little Caesar’s workprint was a bit too old and worn for a pristine restoration. It’s a minor quip over an otherwise must-own collection for gangster movie fans.

EXTRA KIBBLES

PUBLIC ENEMIES: THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE GANGSTER FILM - Made in 2008, this is an outstanding feature-length look at gangster film origins and the classics Warner Bros built its reputation on. Loaded with clips, analysis and appreciation by a variety of critics and historians. Included on a bonus DVD.

MOB OF GANGSTER-THEMED CARTOONS - 4 classic Looney Tunes shorts: I Like Mountain Music; She Was an Acrobat’s Daughter; Racketeer Rabbit; Bugs and Thugs. Included on a bonus DVD.

WARNER NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - Each disc includes the option to view the movie as experienced back in the day, with a preceding newsreel, live-action short, cartoon short and a trailer for another film. Introduced by Leonard Maltin.

FEATURETTES - Each disc includes a 15-20 minute appreciation by various historians, critics and the one-and-only Martin Scorsese.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - Little Caesar, by Richard B. Schull; The Public Enemy, by Robert Sklar; The Petrified Forest, by Erix Lax; White Heat, by Dr. Drew Casper.

GULF SCREEN THEATER BROADCAST - Radio broadcast of The Petrified Forest from 1940.

1954 RE-RELEASE FORWARD - This was used when Little Caesar and The Public Enemy were re-released as a double feature.

CONFLICT is Aptly Named

CONFLICT (Blu-ray)

1945 / 86 min

WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Almost the entire success of 1945’s Conflict rests on Humphrey Bogart’s shoulders. Fortunately, he’s more than up to the challenge, turning in a brilliant performance as wife killer Richard Mason. While he’s always been great at playing morally questionable characters, this one doesn’t seem to get as much attention as some of his more iconic roles. 

Richard and wife Rose (Rose Hobart) have been married for five years, but as the opening scene demonstrates, they aren’t all that happy. An argument ends with him admitting he’s fallen in love with her younger sister, Evelyn (Alexis Smith). Rose doesn’t appear hurt, though, contemptuously belittling Richard for thinking Evelyn would be interested in a man his age. She also refuses to step aside. Still, they maintain a facade around family and friends, who think they’re the perfect couple.

Following a car crash that leaves him temporarily injured, Richard comes up with an elaborate plan to murder Rose, which goes off without a hitch. He reports her as missing, perfectly playing the role of a concerned husband while getting support from their family friend, Dr. Mark Hamilton (Sydney Greenstreet), and more significantly, Evelyn. 

Bogey tries out his new elevator shoes.

Meanwhile, personal belongings that Rose had when she was murdered start turning up (in the house, in a pawn shop), which Richard dutifully reports to police. In fact, he remains personally active in the ongoing investigation, insisting that whoever killed Rose is leaving these things for him to find.

Here’s where things get interesting, because at this point, we aren’t quite sure what’s going on in Richard’s head. Is he convincingly playing the role of a loving husband to avoid becoming a suspect? Has he blocked the entire crime from his memory and truly thinks someone else killed her? Are these occurrences (including mysterious phone calls and ‘seeing’ Evelyn on the street) a manifestation of his guilt? At various points, the viewer entertains all of these notions, mainly due to the remarkable complexity Bogart brings to his role, certainly reflecting the film’s title.

Only at the end does Conflict drop the ball, with an implausible and underwhelming climax that nearly sabotages the story. Until then, however, this is an entertaining psychological thriller, anchored by a terrific and underappreciated performance by Humphrey Bogart.

EXTRA KIBBLES

2 LOONEY TUNES SHORTS - Life with Feathers; Trap Happy Porky.

2 WARNER BROS SHORTS - Peeks at Hollywood; Are Animals Actors?

CONFLICT RADIO BROADCAST - From 1945, featuring Humphrey Bogart.