Director: Joe Pevney
Cast: Howard Duff, Brian Donlevy, Peggy Dow, Lawrence Tierney
Have I Seen It Before: Never.
Did I Like It: In the last few years, I’ve been enjoying going to see old movies at the theater. The older the better. At those screenings, occasionally my mind will wander and wonder what the performers would think if they were aware that their now antique work was being viewed in the way it was meant—mostly—to be seen.
It’s always been a bit of an odd hypothetical. Until a few nights ago, when it is what actually happened. Mrs. Helmerich nee Dow was invited to join us all for Noir Night at the Circle, and so the hypothetical became a very real dynamic.
By all accounts, she left early in screening, whether owing to the fact that most people would not want to dwell on their performance, that her screen career was several lifetimes ago, or the fact that she’s well into her nineties. The likely answer is that any performer—especially if they have passed on—couldn’t be bothered to dwell much on their old performances.
But, far more importantly, I didn’t dwell much on the fact that people actually involved in the making of the film were in the room. The film worked well enough my mind didn’t have time to wander. A tight plot unfurls with speed. It’s nothing special, but it doesn’t have to be. A man with fluctuating luck got a little bit greedy, and proceeded to get his just deserts. Who do I credit with such a quality journeyman’s job of a movie? Look at that director’s name again. Now look up your favorite episode of the original Star Trek*. Odds are you’re starting to put it together.
*You have one, even if you would insist that you don’t.