This is a real gem if you can find it. Almost 20 years later, Bogart reprises his role as Duke Mantee in the made for TV movie. Bacall is in the Bette Davis role of Gabby, and Henry Fonda plays Alan Squier, the role made famous by Leslie Howard.
It's not perfect. Bacall and Fonda don't have the chemistry that Davis and Howard had. They're older, and the the whole film skews darker because of it. But Fonda knows how to act, and he holds his own. The romance may not work, but he still plays the part well enough.
But it's a lot of fun to see Bogart step back into the role of Duke Mantee one more time. The menace is there, and with his age, there's an added air of tiredness as well, but it works for the part of the gangster on the run. How often do you get to see a legend step back into a role like this???
If you're a Bogart fan, this is a must see - especially if you're a completist!
It's not perfect. Bacall and Fonda don't have the chemistry that Davis and Howard had. They're older, and the the whole film skews darker because of it. But Fonda knows how to act, and he holds his own. The romance may not work, but he still plays the part well enough.
But it's a lot of fun to see Bogart step back into the role of Duke Mantee one more time. The menace is there, and with his age, there's an added air of tiredness as well, but it works for the part of the gangster on the run. How often do you get to see a legend step back into a role like this???
If you're a Bogart fan, this is a must see - especially if you're a completist!