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Film by Year Film by Title |
 1936
 Classic gangster drama that made Humphrey Bogart a star. Based on Robert Sherwood's play about fugitive mobsters holding the residents of an isolated Arizona cafe hostage, the film also stars Bette Davis as a dreamy waitress and Leslie Howard as a bored drifter. Available in VHS 83 min.
 Edward G. Robinson is a tough Broadway cop in charge of a strong-arm squad feared by NYC racketeers. A headstrong maverick, he slugs the police commissioner, Joseph King, and is kicked off the force. The widely publicized event interests crime boss Barton MacLane, who then hires the ex-cop to show him how to beat the law. King visits Robinson in the cell in which he is held after he punches a cop who sneers at his betrayal of the force, and it is at this point that the viewer realizes Robinson's wild conduct has all been an act. In the meantime, MacLane is killed by henchman Humphrey Bogart. Robinson assumes leadership of the gang, taking over the lucrative numbers racket to prove to syndicate higherups that he can produce millions for their coffers. He is wounded in a gun battle with Bogart, who has learned his true purpose, and, in turn, Bogart is killed by Robinson. Joan Blondell finds boyfriend Robinson walking down the street toward the secret sanctum of the syndicate leaders and, without knowing he is dying, drives him to his destination. Robinson enters the bastion of the wealthy crime cartel directors, followed by a horde of police he has arranged to have raid the headquarters. As the bigshots are arrested, Robinson collapses and dies in King's arms, a policeman to the last.
 To gain listeners for his radio station, Bogart's boss, Middlemass, digs up a 20-year-old murder case and tells Bogart to broadcast the story as a serial. MacKellar is the woman who was exonerated of the charge originally and went on to marry. She has never mentioned the case to her daughter (Perry), who is engaged to Moore, the son of a well-to-do manufacturer. Now that her past is being relived for a wide audience, the wedding faces possible cancellation. Unable to live with this, MacKellar and her husband, O'Neill, kill themselves. Bogart, strongly backed by his secretary, Roberts, has been opposed all along to the broadcasts, but Perry, feeling that Middlemass has in effect murdered her parents, goes to the station to kill him. Fortunately, Moore follows her and deflects her aim before she fires a pistol. The two renew their love and Bogart, who resigns, marries Roberts. This is a remake of FIVE STAR FINAL (1931). reference: www.tvgen.com
 O'Brien plays a pioneer in aviation obsessed with the establishment of a transpacific airline. His blinding ambition takes its toll on his marriage, friendships, and everyday life in general. We see success after success in his attempt to prepare for the final flight, and by the time he gets around to it there is very little suspense, for we know the final outcome will also be a success. Bogart puts in a neat little performance in a sympathetic role, a departure from the gunmen he usually played at this time in his career. Unfortunately, he is given very little screen time. reference: www.tvgen.com
 Bogie is a crook gone straight in this island film based on a W. Somerset Maugham novel. Shortly after wedding Lindsay, Bogart is called on to rescue Woods and Graetz from a sinking ship. It turns out that Woods is a detective assigned to hunt down a fugitive--namely Bogart. After saving Bogart's life and nearly having an affair with Lindsay, Woods sees that Bogart's not such a bad guy after all and leaves both the island and his lover behind. Tolerable only for Bogie's presence, even though he would never confess to being in this uneventful and poorly conceived picture. It does, however, include an underwater battle with an octopus. reference: www.tvgen.com Want you own copy of these films? Click on the links above or below for information and secure online ordering. Most films are on VHS, some on DVD, and different Bogie posters are also available.
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