Key Largo (Warner Bros.) (1948)

PUBLICITY “KEY LARGO” (STAR READER) (ADVANCE) HUMPHREY BOGART Ace Cast, Hurricane, Romance CAN PLAY EITHER HERO OR VILLAIN Humphrey Bogart, who leads off the brilliant cast of the new Warner Bros.’ drama, “Key Largo”, which comes soon to the Strand Theatre, moves from villain to hero with.the greatest of ease. It was seven years ago when he made “The Maltese Falcon”, that this skilled performer first emerged from his usual dark villainy on the screen. John Huston directed the film. The role ushered in the new Bogart under Warner Bros.’ banner, and that is when Bogart’s popularity zoomed to the top. Before that, Bogart was always somebody’s evil henchman, the man who dangled a cigarette out of the corner of tight lips, handily wielded a blackjack, and ended up by being pumped full of policeman’s bullets. A few months ago, after those seven happy years of film heroism, Bogart slid down the primrose path again in “Treasure of Sierra Madre’, and — oddly enough—again under the guidance of Huston, who, having made him a hero, was ready to undo his work to produce one of the greatest heels in screen history. Bogart also thinks this role in “Treasure of Sierra Madre” is one of the finest he has ever had. Now, however, Bogart and Huston are back together and once more the director has effected an about-face for his versatile star. Yep, Bogey’s a hero—in Warner Bros.’ dynamite drama, “Key Largo”, his new picture, with Jerry Wald producing. “Key Largo” opens Friday at the Strand. CLAIRE TREVOR IN 47TH FILM After 46 motion pictures, Claire Trevor makes her singing debut with a torch song in Warner Bros.’ explosive all-star drama, “Key Largo”, which comes to the Strand Theatre next Friday. Miss Trevor sings “Moanin’ Low” , .. minus any accompaniment. Playing the role of a blowsy, hard-living blonde, Miss Trevor says that she doesn’t have to worry how her notes come off. “Tt’s not supposed to be good,” she says laughingly. Pace Sensational ‘Key Largo A million-dollar cast with Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall features Warner Bros.’ sensational dynamite-packed film, “Key Largo”, which is announced as the Strand Theatre’s next picture starting on Friday. In addition to the above trio of stellar names, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor are featured, and Thomas Gomez and John Rodney are cast in important supplementary assignments. “Key Largo”, based on the Maxwell Anderson play as produced on the stage by the Playwrights Company, has been directed by John Huston, the ace director who turned out “Treasure of the Sierra Madre’, another Bogart winner. Richard Brooks and Huston collaborated on the screen adaptation of this dramatic tale. This film marks Robinson’s first appearance on the Warner lot since 1942. His “Little Caesar” still lingers as one of Hollywood’s greatest performances, and in “Key Largo” he returns to this type of character. It is also interesting to note Miss Bacall’s new personality in the film. In place of the girl who generally gives out smart quips, she plays a straight heroine role which reveals new facets of her vivid personality. Barrymore plays most of his role from a wheelchair, however this bit adds to the effectiveness of the part, especially when the sparks begin to fly between the principal personalities. Music for the production was directed under Max Steiner’s skilled baton. Jerry Wald pro 9 HUMPHREY BOGART and LAUREN BACALL appear opposite each other in Warner Bros.’ drama, ‘Key Largo", dynamite-packed tale of mobsters, hurricanes and romance coming next week to the Strand Theatre. Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor share stellar honors. Sill 692-501 Mat 692-2C duced “Key Largo”, which promises to be one of the sensational films of the season. It has an ace cast, a hurricane, romance, plus five of MHollywood’s best personalities at the top now. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Frank McCloud Johnny Rocco.. Nora Temple _. James Temple. The Cast HUMPHREY BOGART EDWARD G. ROBINSON fer CLAIRE TREVOR Cake ee ee ee ge Thomas Gomez TB nia nS aa eds ee ea et ae Harry Lewis Dénitivs 2 hoods eo eg a John Rodney 7 PT Sac APRON rt Rete GTS Seed eos save Ps Bere eee te Mare Lawrence Rng rots ace, ne Dan Seymour Berit eo. ad SO i, ee en, Monte Blue Osceatla Brothers 568 oe Gott ee Fei hea Wind Production Produced by Jerry Wald. Directed by John Huston. Screen play by (REVIEW) FIVE STARS TOP EXPLOSIVE TALE IN ‘KEY LARGO’ “Key Largo”, Warner Bros.’ newest dramatic masterpiece, is keyed to excitement. This filmization of Maxwell Anderson’s celebrated stage play, which opened yesterday at the Strand Theatre, is topleague fare all the way down. Five stars, Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor, top the cast, which gives off sparks by itself. John Huston, remembered for “Treasure of the Sierra Madre”, has directed it, which is another distinctive item. In short “Key Largo” has everything! Many bits stand out in the vivid drama set against the tropical Florida Keys. Bogart engages in stiff combat with a flock of mobsters. Robinson tries a special brand of whisperingconquest when he makes a play for Miss Bacall. Barrymore fairly bursts with insults when the gangsters take over his hotel. And Miss Trevor, as a faded beauty, makes her bit unforgettable, especially when she is promised a drink to sing “Moanin’ Low”, and is then refused. When the action gathers momentum, a hurricane strikes and the drama takes on new excitement. The closing scenes with Bogart eliminating the mobsters provides a thrilling climax to the entire proceedings. “Key Largo” is strong drama, beautifully acted by a skilled cast, and directed by Huston with marke distinction. FLORIDA SENDS LICENSE PLATES The Florida State Chamber of Commerce forwarded 20 complimentary Florida auto license plates to John Huston, Warner Bros. director, for use on the cars in the sensational drama, “Key Largo’, which comes on Friday to the Strand Theatre. Huston returned from the Keys where he was obtaining background material for the picture, which is laid at Key Largo and which co-stars Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and Lauren Bacall. The complimentary plates, the Chamber of Commerce officials wrote, show Florida’s gratitude to Hollywood for using the state as background for the film. Richard Brooks and John Huston; based on the play by Maxwell Anderson, as produced on the spoken stage by the Playwrights Company. Photographed by Karl Freund, A.S.C. Art Director, Leo K. Kuter. Film Editor, Rudi Fehr. Sound by Dolph Thomas. Special Effects by William McGann, Director; Robert Burks, A.S.C. Set Decorations by Fred M. MacLean. Makeup Artist, Pere Westmore. Music by Max Steiner. Wardrobe by Leah Rhodes. Orchestrations, Murray Cutter. Assistant Director, Art Lueker. Unit Manager, Chuck Hansen. The Story Humphrey Bogart, ex-Army major, arrives in the midst of the summer heat at a Key Largo, Florida hotel which is run by Lionel Barrymore and his war-widowed daughterin-law, Lauren Bacall. Upstairs, a mobster, played by Edward G. Robinson, is hiding out with his men, waiting for nightfall and a visit from another mob from Miami. A hurricane strikes and forces the gang to remain longer than anticipated. Tension mounts, and the air is filled with menace, as the law pays a visit and regards the strange assembly suspiciously. Robinson threatens the entire gathering, but Bogart intervenes; there is gunplay and Robinson forces Bogart to pilot a boat over to Cuba. Claire Trevor, Robinson’s jilted girlfriend in the film, cleverly slips a gun to Bogart. This comes in handy when the boat is at sea and Bogart eliminates his passengers, one by one in a thrilling climactic sequence. Purpose accomplished, Bogart returns alone in the craft through the heavy fog to the waiting Bacall. The fog lifts as the craft comes in sight of the mainland. LIONEL BARRYMORE EDWARD G. ROBINSON Still LB-20 Mat 692-1B (Running time: 101 minutes) Mat 692-1C 1 Still 692-536