Anthony Mann's neat noir "Desperate" is a 1947 film starring Steve Brodie, Audrey Long, Raymond Burr, and Jason Robards Sr. Brodie plays Steve Randall, a newly married young man who takes a last-minute trucking job for good money, only to find out that he'll be carrying stolen goods. He refuses. However, he is forced into the job with threats against his wife (Audrey Long). While en route with the cargo, he signals the cops with his headlights; one of his captors, the younger brother of the head man, Radak (Burr) kills a cop. Randall and his wife go on the run while Radak, wanting to avenge his brother's death row sentence, goes after them.
A very exciting and absorbing film with fast-paced direction by Anthony Mann. Mann had great style - he used lights and shadows wonderfully - the light swinging in the room, alternately hiding and showing Burr's face, and the stunning denouement on a winding staircase - first rate.
Until he played Perry Mason, Raymond Burr usually played characters who were as mean as dirt, and this is no exception. Brodie and Long make a likable couple in whom the audience becomes invested. Long is lovely -I guess being married to Leslie Charteris, the man who wrote "The Saint," she didn't need to work, though, so her career seems to have ended shortly after they married in 1952. Jason Robards Sr. is effective as Ferrari, the investigator Steve attempts to convince of his innocence.
Highly recommended.
A very exciting and absorbing film with fast-paced direction by Anthony Mann. Mann had great style - he used lights and shadows wonderfully - the light swinging in the room, alternately hiding and showing Burr's face, and the stunning denouement on a winding staircase - first rate.
Until he played Perry Mason, Raymond Burr usually played characters who were as mean as dirt, and this is no exception. Brodie and Long make a likable couple in whom the audience becomes invested. Long is lovely -I guess being married to Leslie Charteris, the man who wrote "The Saint," she didn't need to work, though, so her career seems to have ended shortly after they married in 1952. Jason Robards Sr. is effective as Ferrari, the investigator Steve attempts to convince of his innocence.
Highly recommended.