Dead Reckoning (1947)

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Oliver H.P. Garrett (screenplay) &
Steve Fisher (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 January 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

He Doesn't Trust Anyone . . . especially Women !

Plot:

A soldier runs away rather than receive the Medal of Honor, so his buddy gets permission to investigate, and love and death soon follow.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Medal Of Honor | Gambling | WWII | Hotel

Cast

Humphrey Bogart	...	Capt. 'Rip' Murdock
Lizabeth Scott	...	'Dusty' Chandler
Morris Carnovsky	...	Martinelli
Charles Cane	...	Lt. Kincaid
William Prince	...	Sgt. Johnny Drake
Marvin Miller	...	Krause
Wallace Ford	...	McGee
James Bell	...	Father Logan
George Chandler	...	Louis Ord

Also Known As:

John Cromwell's Dead Reckoning (UK) (complete title) (USA) (copyright title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1947) | Finland:K-16 (1948) | Norway:16 (1947) | USA:Approved (PCA #11959) | Australia:PG | UK:U | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Penn Station, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Re-released in 1955, as a double-feature with I Am the Law (1938).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Murdock is listening Coral to sing, he leans his left elbow on the table and puts his hand to his face. In the next shot, before she stands up, his left hand is on the table.

Quotes:

Captain Warren 'Rip' Murdock: Say, when you get on again as a professor at some college, and I'm back running my cabs in St. Louis, send me up a problem in algebra once in a while, will you?
Sergeant Johnny Drake: Blonde or brunette?
Captain Warren 'Rip' Murdock: Redhead in a sloppy joe sweater.
Sergeant Johnny Drake: I think you're a great guy, too, Rip, if that's what this conversation's about. Even in the U.S.A., this world.

Movie Connections:

References To Have and Have Not (1944)

Soundtrack:

Either It's Love or It Isn't

A Neglected, Atmospheric Noir

While it may not be one of the all-time greats, "Dead Reckoning" is neglected even in the Noir category. Most viewers see it because of Bogart. There is good reason: any doubts about his acting ability are erased by this performance. He really had a gift for delivering the archetypal Noir dialogue with which this film is loaded.

Other cast members--Prince, Scott, Carnovsky--are very good. And a particular brand of Noir brutality plays a noteworthy role in this tale. But the main recommendation here is for the LOOK of the film. This is a prime example of Film Noir atmosphere at its most evocative. The opening shot of "Gulf City" at night is so beautiful, you want it to last much longer; Bogart's "confession" to the priest that frames the story in flashback is heavily shrouded in darkness; and the numerous nocturnal hotel scenes are threatening and darkly suggestive.

Worth seeing for a not too-convoluted plot, Bogart, and the atmosphere.