Key Largo -Keepcase-

7.5 - Thrilling
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.

Great service
Great service. Product was exactly as described. Speedy shipping. Would order from here again!

The Threat from Hurricane Rocco
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.

Engrossing!
Typical Bogart...strong & silent....Bacall is steady and believeable... What do you say about Edward G....my opinion he steals the movie... POWERFULL

taut drama with lots of suspense
Key Largo is easily one of the best films from the 1940s. The plot moves along at a very good pace and although I had an idea of how things might turn out it still held my attention every step of the way. The cinematography works well and the choreography was especially good in the scenes filmed in the hotel during the hurricane. The casting was terrific and it resulted in some very convincing acting. When the action starts, we quickly meet former Major Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) who is on his way to Key Largo. Frank wants to pay a visit to the wife and father of a wartime buddy who died in battle as a man in Frank's regiment, George Temple. George's wife Nora Temple (Lauren Bacall) is a somewhat aloof woman who hides her innermost feelings; but as the movie progresses we come to know what truly makes her tick. We also get an outstanding performance by Lionel Barrymore as George's father James Temple who is confined to a wheelchair because of a medical condition. But once Frank arrives at the hotel he meets more people than just Nora Temple and her father. There's also the gangster Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson) and his thugs holed up at the hotel while they wait for another group of gangsters to make a "transaction." Richard 'Curly' Hoff (Thomas Gomez) has already installed himself as the bartender; and there's the snooty young kid Edward 'Toots' Bass (Harry Lewis) who thinks he's got the world at his feet. We also meet Johnny's rather alcoholic girlfriend Gaye Dawn (Claire Trevor). It isn't long before the battle lines are drawn, all up against the backdrop of a raging hurricane that mirrors the storm of people clashing inside the hotel. Deputy Clyde Sawyer (John Rodney) gets involved trying to take Johnny and his gang in; and that in and of itself is quite a drama. The main event, however, is the clash between Johnny and Frank. Frank professes not to care about saving the world and ridding it of people like Johnny Rocco--but he doesn't seem willing to do much about it, at least at first. Of course, from here the plot can go anywhere. Will Frank ever stand up to Johnny Rocco and his gang--and how will that actually play out? What happens when Johnny insists that Frank take command of a small boat and sail the gangsters to their refuge in Cuba? What about the Native Americans who want safety during the hurricane--will they find it at the hotel? Watch and find out! In addition, the DVD has the theatrical trailer. Key Largo is a film you cannot afford to miss. It's worth every cent you'll spend on it; this is truly one of the best films of the entire twentieth century. Claire Trevor won a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing the role of Gaye Dawn as well. I highly recommend this film for fans of classic drama and the actors who star in this movie.