5/5 Bogie, Bacall & Barrymore, Plus Robinson & Trevor. What A Cast. What A Movie.
  by HAMLET
John Huston's "Key Largo" reunites him with his "Maltese Falcon" star Humphrey Bogart, and he assembles a star cast for this movie as well, in addition to Bogart: Lauren Bacall (Humphrey Bogart's real-life wife, and fresh off their successful pairings in "To Have And Have Not" & "The Big Sleep"), Edward G. Robinson ("Double Indemnity"), Claire Trevor and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter in the Frank Capra classic "It's A Wonderful Life"). The score was written by the Academy Award winning composer of "Gone With The Win" and the equally stirring "Casablanca," Max Steiner. The writing is clever, and the tension well maintained. I love that these old movies had no graphic violence, no language and no sex. Now-a-days, you have gratuitous sex, language and graphic violence. THIS movie and all the films from the early days of cinema up to the mid 1960's are proof that you do not need sex, language or violence to be clever. Also, all the movies from Walt Disney Pictures are very clean. However, I digress.

This film is engaging from the get-go. Very well done movie. I highly recommend it. Not Rated.

4/5 7.5 - Thrilling
  by Rube Goldfinger (savannah, GA)
Awesome film. Obviously inspired by films like "Casablanca", Bogey is an amoral man stuck in a dangerous setting. The cast is great, but Lauren Bacall really doesn't get much to do in this. The climax really had me on the edge of my seats. Classic suspense and clever plot twists. Anyone can enjoy this one.

5/5 Great service
  by Nancy L. Munson (Fond du Lac Wisconsin)
Great service. Product was exactly as described. Speedy shipping. Would order from here again!

3/5 The Threat from Hurricane Rocco
  by Acute Observer (North Jersey Shore)
The southernmost part of Florida has a string of islands connected by a causeway. The film begins when a bus is stopped by the police who are searching for two men who escaped from jail. "They always head for home." A man arrives at the Largo Hotel; it is closed they say. It is hot and humid. Frank McCloud wants to see Mr. Temple and Nora, George's wife. The strangers arrived and offered a lot of money to rent the hotel for a week. They are told a hurricane will arrive. The shutters must be bolted shut, boats must be tied down. The wind and rain announce the hurricane. There is conflict among the guests. Then the surprise guest shows up. McCloud recognizes Johnny Rocco, the deported gangster.

There are some philosophical discussions about society that betray the origins of this story as a stage play, as well as its static action. Rocco displays his authoritarianism. He awaits a visitor from Miami, the local mob-ruled city. Rocco brags about fixing elections in cities and states (as if he was of the ruling class). Rocco whispers to Nora, she spits an answer. Why did Johnny Rocco succeed? Rocco demonstrates his knowledge of psychology (and a trick test). There is talk about cowardice and the sacrifice of a life for political ends. The storm worsens. In 1935 a high wind and tidal wave killed 800 people. Forces beyond human control. The storm ends, Rocco's boat has sailed away. The Sheriff shoots the fleeing Osceola brothers, he blamed them for the death of deputy sheriff Sawyer!

Ziggy arrives with his boys to inspect the merchandise. Was there counterfeiting in Cuba then? [The real contraband smuggled into this country was narcotics, but that was censored by the Production Code.] Johnny Rocco and his boys will return to Cuba. Frank will pilot the boat for them. Did Rocco leave Gay Dawn behind for a reason? Does Frank have a plan to conquer the enemy against the odds? Will the good guys win for a happy ending? "Nobody in the world is safe when Johnny Rocco is alive." Isn't this story similar to "Petrified Forest" with accents from "Casablanca"? Will the Johnny Roccos continue to threaten America? Will any film explain how organized crime benefits the ruling class (else they would be persecuted).

Humphrey Bogart joined the Navy in WW I. He owned a sailboat and served as a Coast Guard Volunteer who watched for enemy submarines off the California coast during WW II. Note his many movies which involved the sea. Afterwards Bogart with others protested the HUAC investigation of Hollywood. He later said this was "ill-advised". Wall Street investors back the production of movies whose success repays the investors. Its not "art" but a business proposition that entertains and distracts people with fantasies to escape from their everyday life.


5/5 Engrossing!
  by P. A. Russo (Ossining)
Typical Bogart...strong & silent....Bacall is steady and believeable...
What do you say about Edward G....my opinion he steals the movie...
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