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Key Largo (1948)

Unrated | | Crime, Drama, Film-Noir | 31 July 1948 (USA)
Key Largo Poster
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A man visits his old friend's hotel and finds a gangster running things. As a hurricane approaches, the two end up confronting each other.

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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...
...
...
...
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John Rodney ...
...
Ziggy
Dan Seymour ...
Angel Garcia
...
Sheriff Ben Wade
...
Ralph Feeney
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Storyline

Frank McCloud travels to a run-down hotel on Key Largo to honor the memory of a friend who died bravely in his unit during WW II. His friend's widow, Nora Temple, and wheelchair bound father, James Temple manage the hotel and receive him warmly, but the three of them soon find themselves virtual prisoners when the hotel is taken over by a mob of gangsters led by Johnny Rocco who hole up there to await the passing of a hurricane. Mr. Temple strongly reviles Rocco but due to his infirmities can only confront him verbally. Having become disillusioned by the violence of war, Frank is reluctant to act, but Rocco's demeaning treatment of his alcoholic moll, Gaye Dawn, and his complicity in the deaths of some innocent Seminole Indians and a deputy sheriff start to motivate McCloud to overcome his Hamlet-like inaction. Written by Brian Greenhalgh

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

hotel | key largo | hurricane | gangster | death | See All (104) »

Taglines:

Gun Fury in the TROPICS! See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

31 July 1948 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Gangster in Key Largo  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "Key Largo" by Maxwell Anderson opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on November 27, 1939 and ran for 105 performances. The original stage cast includes Paul Muni, Uta Hagen and the Broadway debut of character actor James Gregory. See more »

Goofs

When Gaye sits down with Nora after being released from her room, the boom microphone is reflected in the picture behind them. See more »

Quotes

Toots: I say smack her and let it go at that.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Let's Go to the Movies (1949) See more »

Soundtracks

Moanin' Low
(uncredited)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Howard Dietz
Sung by Claire Trevor
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the significance of the setting in "Key Largo"?
See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
shock value
2 April 2004 | by (Buffalo, New York) – See all my reviews

My favorite Bogart movie is also Key Largo. Even before Edward G. Robinson and his hoods take everyone hostage in Lionel Barrymore's hotel there is a tension that does not let up for one second. Movie goers had to be on the edge of their seats in 1948.

There is one scene however that I don't think viewers today can fully appreciate. Lionel Barrymore had been acting from a wheelchair for 10 years and movie audiences were used to that. When Robinson and his goons goad him to a futile gesture of bravado, Barrymore rises from that chair and moves slowly towards the snickering Robinson. He swings and misses and falls down and Bogey and Bacall pick up Barrymore and bring him back to his wheelchair. The shock value of that scene for 1948 audiences would have a dimension that can't be appreciated now.

Robinson's Johnny Rocco is based on Lucky Luciano who had been deported a few years back. He's evil incarnate and Humphrey Bogart as Frank McCloud is the jaded, cynical former idealist who redeems himself and becomes the countervailing force for good. They play well against each other in a reverse from the 1930s Warner gangster flicks where Robinson was usually the good guy.

Who could have known this would be the fourth, last, and best of the Bogey and Bacall teamings.
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