They Drive by Night

Not much action here for a "film noir" and really more of a melodrama than a crime story, but I still like this because the story's decent and it features a top-flight cast of actors who are usually fun to watch.

That cast includes George Raft, Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page. My favorite of the group - in this film, at least - is Sheridan, a wise-cracking waitress. Raft and Bogart are truck drivers and Lupino plays the boss' wife. In here, the two women are more interesting than the men, which says a lot considering its Raft and Bogart.

Sheridan not only is easy on the eyes but delivers some great film-noir-type lines. Unfortunately, the edge is taken off her once she leave the diner and hitches a ride with Raft to Los Angeles.

Bogart plays more of a low-key family man whose wife (Page) is the nice- looking, wholesome type. This is one of the last movies Bogart made before he became a star. Hence, he gets fourth billing in here.

Lupino is very good as the vicious scorned woman, a role she found herself playing in a number of films.

As mentioned above, I'm not really sure how one would classify this film since there is humor, film noir, soap opera, straight drama and romance all in it. The combination makes the film interesting and recommended.

Truck-driving brothers GEORGE RAFT and HUMPHREY BOGART not only have to put up with the hazards of wildcat driving but the manipulations of the scheming wife of boss ALAN HALE, played with intense conviction by IDA LUPINO.

But it's a plodding tale that takes awhile to work up any steam while director Raoul Walsh concentrates on the rough-housing camaraderie of the blue collar set before getting to the heart of the story involving two very different women--the good one, ANN SHERIDAN, and the femme fatale played with relish by IDA LUPINO. It is the romantic trio that ends in tragedy that gives the film its potent interest.

Lupino's mad scene on the stand is worth waiting for--although not entirely convincing. Nevertheless, she creates a vixen you won't soon forget.

George Raft ambles pleasantly through a rather dull role while Humphrey Bogart, as his brother, attracts more attention in a sideline role. Ann Sheridan is a sheer delight, adding her usual warmth and zest to a typical Sheridan role. The script crackles with tart remarks.

Not exactly great filmmaking--and too long in getting started--but worth the wait for some good performances. Only drawback seemed to be ALAN HALE as an oafish boss who becomes even more obnoxious when he's drunk. Hale overplays the role to such a degree that, in a way, it comes as a relief to see Ida knock him off with those car doors. "The doors made me do it!" is her scream from the witness stand.

Summing up: the kind of melodrama Warner was famous for in the '40s with the right cast doing it justice.

Two truck driving brothers (George Raft, Humphrey Bogart) get tired of being screwed over by bosses and decide to strike out on their own and start their own trucking company. But tragedy strikes and their dreams come crashing down. That's just the beginning of their problems.

Gritty, ballsy WB crime drama with a cast of colorful characters. Best truck driver movie ever. Raft and Bogart are great. This is Bogey pre-leading man but at least he's not the villain this time so he was making progress. Lovely Ann Sheridan is good as the tough working class dame who falls for Raft. Ida Lupino is particularly wicked as the sarcastic woman after Raft who goes completely bonkers before it's all said and done. Her performance is over the top in the best way. Great WB supporting cast includes people like Alan Hale and Henry O'Neill. Love getting to see the inner workings of the trucking industry back then and seeing how things have changed (and how they haven't). Love those old trucks, too. Fantastic movie. An underrated classic.

With a cast of Humphrey Bogart, George Raft, Ida Lupino and Ann Sheridan, it would virtually be impossible to make a mediocre film. And this is not mediocre. The plot of this film has several complications, which enrich the enjoyment of the movie. There are both dramatic and romantic surprises in the film. Enjoy these Golden Age performances by some of the best in the business. Good family fare.

If you could distil the essence of the actors in this quite ordinary film and add to it the forfeit George Raft paid for his poor future choices, the oyster and the world would be yours.