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Beat the Devil (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
17 December 1953 (Italy) moreTagline:
Adventure at its boldest! Bogart at his best! morePlot:
On their way to Africa are a group of rogues who hope to get rich there, and a seemingly innocent British couple. They meet and things happen... full summary | add synopsisUser Comments:
Bogart himself called it a "mess." moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Humphrey Bogart | ... | Billy Dannreuther | |
| Jennifer Jones | ... | Mrs. Gwendolen Chelm | |
| Gina Lollobrigida | ... | Maria Dannreuther | |
| Robert Morley | ... | Peterson | |
| Peter Lorre | ... | Julius O'Hara | |
| Edward Underdown | ... | Harry Chelm | |
| Ivor Barnard | ... | Maj. Jack Ross | |
| Marco Tulli | ... | Ravello | |
| Bernard Lee | ... | Insp. Jack Clayton | |
| Mario Perrone | ... | Purser on SS Nyanga | |
| Giulio Donnini | ... | Administrator | |
| Saro Urzì | ... | Captain of SS Nyanga | |
| Aldo Silvani | ... | Charles - Restaurant Manager | |
| Juan de Landa | ... | Hispano-Suiza Driver | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Julie Gibson | |||
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
89 minColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Spain:T | Switzerland:14 | UK:U | West Germany:6Fun Stuff
Trivia:
John Huston was star/producer Humphrey Bogart's first choice to direct. However, Huston had some scheduling conflicts -- he was due to make a movie with Katharine Hepburn (which was never made, as Hepburn graciously stepped aside to help out Huston), not to mention that he had to finish his then-current project Moulin Rouge (1952). Nicholas Ray, who Bogart had worked with twice before, was considered to direct in case Huston could not finish in time. moreGoofs:
Boom mic visible: In Harry and Gwendolyn's first dialog scene on the street, the shadow of a boom microphone can be seen on the wall behind them. moreQuotes:
Purser: Do you know that your associates are all in hoosegow? Oh, not that I'm a bit surprised. I put them down as thoroughly bad characters, right off the bat. But then there are so many bad characters nowadays. Take mine, for instance. moreFAQ
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The plot, if you can call it that, concerned a group of six stranded adventurers in an Italian port whose plan is to buy up some East African land that supposed1y contains uranium Double-crossing quickly becomes the name of the game as Bogart and his fellow conspirators (including Robert Morley, Peter Lorre, Gina Lollobrigida, and a seemingly endless parade of bizarre characters) outdo each other in inspired crazy way
Bogart, trying desperately to maintain his composure, delivered such priceless lines as: 'I'm only in on this because the doctor told me I needed plenty of money. Without money I become dull, listless, and have trouble with my complexion." But his lines weren't the only offbeat ones In a room where he's being questioned after being captured, while a firing squad goes about its routine work outside, he is asked straight-faced, "Now tell me, do you really know Rita Hayworth?"
The film is one of those rare items that viewers either seem to love or hate, no middle ground accepted and declared that only the "phonies" thought it was really funny Many reviewers thought the whole thing was a tasteless joke and decried the waste of time, talent, and money
In any case, Bogart gave an immensely satisfying performance in his tongue-in-cheek role and the film itself has now become a regular attraction in Bogart film retrospectives It is also an excellent example of how much Bogart had matured as an actor, since it is not easy to overcome apparently inept material and still give a performance with some meaning and substance