In a Lonely Place

It was billed as "The Bogart suspense picture with the surprise finish."  Hmm.  There is some suspense in 1950's IN A LONELY PLACE, even the makings of a whodunnit, but neither is what makes this movie hum, tick, and pulse with life.  The surprise finish is quite debatable, at least to my eyes.  The story had only one destination, if screenwriters Edmund H. North and Andrew Solt were to keep true to the characters right to the last fade out.  And they do.  Under Nicholas Ray's skillful direction, the movie never betrays what it carefully builds in its relatively short running time.  Here is a bold, mature yesteryear drama that is as observant and perceptive as anything I've seen from this era.

Dix Steele (Humphrey Bogart) is a Tinseltown screenwriter whose last successful days behind the typewriter pre-date WWII. He has an unfavorable reputation, namely for a temper that edges into numerous fights.  Good thing he has a patient agent named Mel (Art Smith) who lobbies for and tolerates him.  There's an opportunity for Dix to adapt a trashy novel, a possible comeback vehicle.  In this town, it doesn't have to be good material, as long as it translates into a profitable flick.  Has anything changed today? Dix knows the score, calling the director a "popcorn salesman." But he promises to read the book before a meeting the next day.

Or at least have it read to him by a coat check girl named Mildred (Martha Stewart).  She's mildly suspicious of this proposal, especially when Dix invites her to his place to do it.  But the old cuss merely wants to save the bother of plowing through the dreck.  He eventually grows tired and sends her home.  A few hours later he is awakened by detective Nicolai (Frank Lovejoy), also an old army comrade, with the news that Martha was killed on her way home. During a tense round of questioning at the police station, Dix's neighbor Laurel (Gloria Grahame) is brought in and offers an alibi.  Yeah, she saw the young girl leave Dix's place, without Dix.

A romance blooms between Dix and Laurel.  Their quick wits and cynicism make them a good match.  She also plays his muse, inspiring him to find creative juices that allow marathon writing sessions.  He hadn't been this productive in years! They are truly in love.  But Dix's hotheadedness becomes an increasing concern.....

IN A LONELY PLACE has its title uttered once, in reference to the place where Martha died.  But it is far more fitting to where Dix will find himself.  That's a potential spoiler, sure.

I would've given IN A LONELY PLACE a perfect rating were it not for certain period hokiness.  Ray would be guilty of it in his other features, most notably REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.  George Antheil's score doesn't help matters.  But one must consider the time.  Hollywood pictures, even many of the best, suffered melodramatic tropes.  At least here there is no corny narration.  These carps out of the way, let me again say what a strong movie this is.  So honest in its depiction of two highly complicated souls.  This may be Bogart's finest hour, and the cast around him is equally fine.