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Steve-O
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Force of Evil (1948)
« Thread started on: Mar 2nd, 2008, 11:47pm » |
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by Clute and Edwards
"What do you mean gangsters? This is business."
FORCE OF EVIL, Abraham Polonsky's superlative 1948 debut, is as brave and uncompromising as Polonsky himself. When making this film, Polonsky had no way of knowing he was about to be called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), and it would be over twenty years before he directed another movie. But when we watch FORCE OF EVIL, we see a degree of bravery and intelligence that would lead us to believe Polonsky would refuse to name names for HUAC, and would accept his blacklist status without breaking—as was the case. FORCE OF EVIL tells the story of Joe Morse (John Garfield), an ambitious lawyer whose principal client is Joe Tucker (Roy Roberts), the boss of a numbers racket. Together, they put in a fix to bankrupt the other rackets and force them all into a quasi-legal lotto to be controlled by the two of them. One of the victims of their scheme is Joe's brother Leo (Thomas Gomez), who has a small "numbers bank" of his own. As Joe struggles to bring Leo into the fold without spilling the fix, and Leo fights to retain his business without exactly going straight, we see more shades of grey than are found at most bankers conventions. Everyone is willing to turn a blind eye to moral trespasses if they stand to profit. Some will sell out cheap. Some will see their errors and mend their ways—or, at least, raise their price. Corruption is no longer a question of type of activity, it's a question of scale. Small-time graft is shown to be far less dangerous than the big-time rackets that have the law, the trust of the public, and the appearance of respectability on their side. Ultimately, the crime is the system itself, and FORCE OF EVIL shows the very philosophical underpinnings of capitalism to be liable; listen to Joe's speech to Doris Lowry (Beatrice Pearson) in the taxi, and just try and claim otherwise. And while Polonsky's willingness to take on the corruption inherent in the system is remarkable, the degree of craft he exhibits as a rookie director is nothing short of astonishing. The screenplay he co-authors with Ira Wolfert (on whose novel "Tucker's People" the film is based) is so sharp and biting, so rich in its ability to expose the poverty of our dreams, and so stylized and impossibly catchy in its dialogue, that it can't help but feel more real than the real. With this script and uncommon directing talent, Polonsky coaxes career-best performance from Garfield, Gomez, and Marie Windsor, whose few minutes of screen time as Mrs. Tucker are so powerful that we imagine an entire backstory with her as the femme fatale pulling all strings behind the scenes. And with Director of Photography George Barnes, Polonsky gives us some of the most beautiful and narratively rich shots in film history, alternately using the camera to reinforce and undermine the principal themes and actions of the story, and create tremendous tension. FORCE OF EVIL is one of those rare film masterpieces in which the story, script, casting, acting, direction, photography, and sound design work in perfect harmony to create a taut and deeply enjoyable story. And it may be the noir that most perfectly captures the societal anxieties of America in the late 40's—the ambiguous and fearful relationship to the great cities and great institutions that were the sclerotic backbone of the country after WWII. When we see this film, we begin to understand the devastating cultural price we pay when we allow ourselves to live according to the status quo, and be governed by fear.
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Steve-O
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Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #1 on: Mar 2nd, 2008, 11:50pm » |
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A few notes: I can't believe I can't find any decent video online to go with the review at the blog http://noiroftheweek.blogspot.com . I'm sure I'll dig something up (there doesnt seem to be an existing trailer for this one)
Second, I love Marie Windsor in this. Talk about perfect casting.
Thanks guys for a inside look at one of the great ones.... I'll listen to the podcast today!
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| « Last Edit: Mar 3rd, 2008, 01:24am by Steve-O » |
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Dave
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #2 on: Mar 3rd, 2008, 11:40am » |
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Thanks, Steve. I had the opportuninty to meet Polonsky in '99, and get his
autograph. A way talented, interesting, and funny guy.
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A True Noiraholic
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #3 on: Mar 4th, 2008, 7:13pm » |
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Hi! BAN Members,
I watched actor John Garfield (In my opinion, one of the most underrated actor(s) even today.) in "Nobody Live Forever" and "Force of Evil" for the first~time today and found both films very interesting. If I had to select which film that I preferred watching, I must admit I did enjoy watching W.R. Burnett's (Who's no "slouch" by the way, this man is responsible for films such as The Asphalt Jungle, High Sierra, and Scarface.) "Nobody Live Forever" more than I did Force of Evil ....Did I just "hear" a "collective gasp(s)" from BAN members?.... Ok!.... I admit "Force of Evil" storyline is more realistic, gripping, dark and despairing when it comes to the mood of this film.
According to a reviewer over there at IMDb, "Force of Evil goes beyond films that are considered noir, and is a classic and pessimistic view of human nature....and the story that Abraham Polansky tried to convey in Force of Evil is that even decent people sometimes must submit to corruption in order to survive." Personally, I think that he succeeded in conveying his message across to (this viewer) through (this film.) (Force of Evil)
Thanks, to Clute and Edwards for a very nice write-up about a film that I watched for the first-time today called Force of Evil and I hope to watch both film(s) Force of Evil and Nobody Lives Forever again!
A True Noiraholic 
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Capt.Walter Anderson~NYC an architectual jungle where fabulous wealth and the deepest squalor live side by side,NYC is the busiest, the loneliest, the kindest, and the cruelest of cities~a murder a day, every day of the year and each murder will wind up on my desk.
Original Moniker~A Truenoirhead
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Steve-O
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Re: Force of Evil
« Reply #4 on: Mar 5th, 2008, 7:07pm » |
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I watched it again yesterday and I think the film was a bit ahead of it's time. Very complex... the screenplay with some excellent performances makes this film stand out.
Edit: The Podcast episode is just excellent! http://cdn4.libsyn.com/outofthepast/OOTP_2008_03_01_FOE.mp3
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| « Last Edit: Mar 12th, 2008, 4:39pm by Steve-O » |
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Steve-O
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« Reply #5 on: Mar 12th, 2008, 4:46pm » |
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A few notes on Force of Evil. How cool is it that they based the lighting on Edward Hopper paintings? Just fantastic.
Also, (as Sunset Gun noted here: http://sunsetgun.typepad.com/sunsetgun/2008/03/happy-birthda-1.html ) how is it that John Garfield isn't a household name today like other film icons of the era? He is just fantastic in Force of Evil. Plus he has a sex appeal that should make him timeless. Yet, he isn't remembered like Bogart or Robert Mitchum.
Is it because of home video? Certainly TCM runs Garfield movies as much as others. But where is He Ran All the Way on DVD? Why are there only "budget" DVDs for Force of Evil and (even better) Body and Soul?
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redwards7
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #6 on: Mar 13th, 2008, 4:42pm » |
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I have to agree with Steve-O that it is a mystery that John Garfield isn't better known. There's a wonderful book by Robert Sklar called "City Boys" that examines Cagney, Bogart and Garfield. I always thought that this group in similar ways and yet in terms of legacy, Bogart and Cagney are much more widely remembered. But whenever I go back and see Garfield in a film, I am always impressed with his art. He always seems to fit the role perfectly, which is more than just good casting, it is his ability to transform roles to fit his persona. I just saw the TCM documentary on Garfield and it is wonderful, I recommend to any fans of noir and Garfield in particular.
Best, Rich (co-host of Out of the Past: Investigating Film Noir)
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Please visit our two podcasts:
"Out of the Past: Investigating Film Noir"
http://outofthepast.libsyn.com
"Behind the Black Mask: Mystery Writers Revealed"
http://btbm.libsyn.com
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A True Noiraholic
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #7 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 2:51pm » |
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Hi! BAN members,
Why do I think those 2 iconic figures Humphrey Bogart and Robert "Big Bob" Mitchum are "unforgettable?"
Because I think Bogie and Robert "big" Bob Mitchum had "strong" personalities and mannerism that were "memorable." For instance, when you think of actor Humphrey Bogart what comes to mind? For me it was his cigarette dangling from his lips, the lisp when he spoke, the pulling up of his pants by the waist, his bravado "attitude" and yet, he appeared to have been very sensitive to those who were treated unfairly. But most importantly, he seemed down to earth and would relax on the screen, as if he was sitting in a chair at home without the cameras rollings....Great Stuff!....by the way! (But, I would be remissed if I fail to mention his fedora, trench coat, and that Black Bird....)
Robert "Big" Bob Mitchum on the other hand, ...what can I say, all he had to do was make his presence known, sleepy eyes, homespun wisdom, and with that 'baby, I don't care," manner his mere presense (on and off screen) oozed ....masculinity, forcefulness, and usually sending women to swoon.(I would also be remissed if I didn't mention his fedora, trench coat and his cigarette dangling from his lips!)
What made these men "iconic" figures even today? (It could have been so many other factors, but mainly, I think they possess what is called that main "it" factor)...I don't think that actors Peck, Raft, or Reagan, etc.... possess that 'it" factor!....(As a matter of fact, Raft and Reagan, basically handed ) As the French actor Jean~ Paul Belmondo would pronounced his name in the 1960 film Breathless) Humphrey Bo~gart .... some of his most memorable roles on the screen. All I can say to Raft and Reagan.....is Thank-You!
(For BAN members comments on actor George Raft performance as an actor check-out! the Thread/Subject George Raft under the subject
Film Noir Talk page 10....)(See link: Below to read author Eddie Muller's comments on Bogart and Raft.)
A True Noiraholic
Note: This is just my own opinion....about Bogie and Mitchum.(Believe me it's nothing personal against Peck, Raft, and Reagan.) This is just my opinion about these men as actors only!....I don't mean to sound as if I am casting disparaging remarks on them personally. If it is interpreted in that way....I am so very sorry!
By the way, I do think that actor John Garfield was a very fine actor, but I am just not sure why he is not remembered today in the same manner as his contemporaries such as: Bogie, Mitchum, and Cagney and The next generation of great actors such as: actor James Byron Dean, (I am almost an "obsessive'" fan of actor James Dean, If I add one more item related to him in my place of resident....I think the place is going to ''collapse!" ) Marlon Brando, Newman, and McQueen. But, I think that many "factors" could have played a role in why John Garfield is not remembered today. For instance, being blacklisted by HUAC even though he testified before congress, he found his film career on the decline. Along with his "preexisting" heart condition and the stress from the death of his young daughter Katherine, may have contributed to his early demise at the age of 39 in 1952.
In the end, who knows? what Jacob Julius "Julie" Garfinkle could have accomplished when it came to his film career had "longevity" been on "his side" in his very young life...."He could have ran all the way!"
Note: This post have been revised....
See Link:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/02/06/CMGS7AO2O31.DTL
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Capt.Walter Anderson~NYC an architectual jungle where fabulous wealth and the deepest squalor live side by side,NYC is the busiest, the loneliest, the kindest, and the cruelest of cities~a murder a day, every day of the year and each murder will wind up on my desk.
Original Moniker~A Truenoirhead
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A True Noiraholic
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #8 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 3:20pm » |
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"Big" Bob Mitchum surrounded by female fans at the Cannes film festival.
Hump~hrey Bo~gart
John Garfield
Hi! BAN Members,
I found this very interesting article by author Eddie Muller, where he interviews himself and mentioned the three film noir icons (pictured above) in the article. Who are they: Robert Mitchum, John Garfield and Humphrey Bogart, but of course....
See: Greencine link below:
http://www.greencine.com/static/primers/noir.jsp
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Capt.Walter Anderson~NYC an architectual jungle where fabulous wealth and the deepest squalor live side by side,NYC is the busiest, the loneliest, the kindest, and the cruelest of cities~a murder a day, every day of the year and each murder will wind up on my desk.
Original Moniker~A Truenoirhead
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Mark
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #9 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 5:06pm » |
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on Mar 17th, 2008, 2:51pm, A True Noiraholic wrote:Hi! BAN members,
Over the weekend, I was wondering why actor John Garfield isn't as remembered as those 2 films icons:Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum. And I finally reached the conclusion that it had to be "personality".......
I think that the reason that actor John Garfield is not remembered in the same manner as those 2 iconic figures Humphrey Bogart and Big Bob Mitchum because his "personality'" wasn't strong enough!... which led to him being '"forgettable" instead of, "unforgettable."
I think both Bogie and Robert "big" Bob Mitchum had "lite" touches that were memorable such as Bogie with his cigarette dangling from his lip, the lisp when he spoke, the pulling up of his pants by the waist. The bravados 'ego' and yet very sensitive
to those who were treated unfairly, but most importantly, he was down to earth and would relax once he would sit in a chair and just talk as if he was at home without the cameras rollings.. Big Bob Mitchum on the other hand, ...what can I say, all he had to do was make his presence known sleepy eyes, homespun wisdom, and with that 'baby, I don't
care manner. Unlike, Bogart, his mere presense (on and off screen) oozed ....masculinity, forcefulness, and usually sending women to swoon. (It could have been so many other factors, but mainly, I think they possess what is called that "it" factor) But like so many actors I don't think that Garfield had that 'it" factor, but don't worry John....neither did Peck, Raft, or Reagan, etc.... possess that 'it" factor!....(both men Raft and Reagan handed ) As the French actor Paul BelMondo would pronounced his name in the 1959 film Breathless.) Hump~phrey Bo~gart .... some of his most memorable roles on the screen. All I can say to Raft and Reagan.....is Thank-You!
A True Noiraholic
Note: This is just my own opinion....about Bogie, Mitchum, and Garfield. (I don't want to diminish his abilities as actor.) Because he was a very fine actor
I just think that he lacked that 'it' quality that so, many other actors possess such as: Bogie, Mitchum, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Newman, McQueen.etc,etc, etc....
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Hi Miss ATN,
Although I agree with many of your observations of Bogey, Mitchum, etc..., I think the biggest single reason he doesn't carry the fame of the others, was due to his early death which I think occurred in his thirties. Imagine his resume had he lived to old age. I personally feel he had better "chops" than those you mentioned.
Mark
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Mark
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #10 on: Mar 18th, 2008, 2:05pm » |
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on Mar 18th, 2008, 11:35am, A True Noiraholic wrote:Hi! Mark,
I was not debating why he (John Garfield) wasn't remembered. I was basically voicing my own opinion about why I think actor John Garfield was not as well remembered as his contemporary such as Bogart, Mitchum, and Cagney etc...
You may be right about why he isn't well remembered today. Granted, his early demise (Garfield died in 1952 at the age of 45)(He was 13 years younger than both Bogie and Cagney) may have played a factor in causing him not to be well remembered today.
But if that is the case well, how do you explain away the fact that actor Humphrey Bogart still remain popular today.(I think he died 5 or 6 years after John Garfield in 1957.) ( I wouldn't actually say that was a 20 year gap!) I think had Garfield lived there was no "guarantee" that he would have remain popular
(To be honest, I don't know how popular he (Garfield) was at the box office!) in the public eye. But then again, maybe you are right had he lived who knows?....
A True Noiraholic
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Hi Miss ATN -
Sorry if my post sounded confrontational, as it sure wasn't mean't to be.
Wikipedia lists his birth/death from March 4th 1913 to May 21st 1952 which would put him at 39 when he passed. Whether or not they are correct I don't know.
Bogey came up through the system working with notables such as Cagney, Raft, Robinson etc.. Huston also took chances with Bogey which paid off as well. Casablanca came around and really defined his career. Also, I think his association with Lauren Bacall has also helped keep the Bogie mystique alive and well for all these years.
Something interesting (also at the Wikipedia page) that also did not help Garfields career.
Long involved in liberal politics, Garfield was caught up in the Communist scare of the late 1940s and early 1950s, and supported the Committee for the First Amendment, which opposed governmental investigation of political beliefs. When called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, which was empowered to investigate purported communist infiltration in America, Garfield refused to name communist party members or followers, testifying that, indeed, he knew none in the film industry. Indeed, Garfield rejected Communism, and just prior to his death, in hopes of redeeming himself in the eyes of the blacklisters, had written that he had been duped by Communist ideology, in an unpublished article entitled "I Was a Sucker for a Left Hook", a reference to Garfield's movies about boxing. However, his forced testimony before the committee had severely damaged his reputation. He was blacklisted in Red Channels, and barred from future employment as an actor by Hollywood movie studio bosses for the remainder of his career.
I still think given the same opportunities as the others, he would have been every bit as well known today as they are.
Mark
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A True Noiraholic
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #11 on: Mar 18th, 2008, 3:12pm » |
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Hi! Mark,
I didn't think that your post sound "confrontational."
By the way, Mark (I am not trying to be "funny!"....but a 'tip" of Bogart fedora to you, for correcting me about actor John Garfield actual date of birth and age.)
Thanks,
A TrueNoiraholic
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Capt.Walter Anderson~NYC an architectual jungle where fabulous wealth and the deepest squalor live side by side,NYC is the busiest, the loneliest, the kindest, and the cruelest of cities~a murder a day, every day of the year and each murder will wind up on my desk.
Original Moniker~A Truenoirhead
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Raven
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #12 on: Mar 18th, 2008, 9:42pm » |
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on Mar 18th, 2008, 9:36pm, Bogeyman wrote:| "Also, I think his association with Lauren Bacall " |
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Good gosh you make it sound like a business arrangement as opposed to a 12 year marriage which produced the only offspring Bogey had.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 19th, 2008, 12:20am by Steve-O » |
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You are trying to make me go soft. Well, you can save it. I don't go soft for anybody.
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Mark
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Re: Force of Evil (1948)
« Reply #13 on: Mar 21st, 2008, 6:32pm » |
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on Mar 18th, 2008, 9:42pm, Bogeyman wrote:| Good gosh you make it sound like a business arrangement as opposed to a 12 year marriage which produced the only offspring Bogey had. |
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I thought my comment was easy to understand but obviously not, so here is one of many definitions.
Association - to join as a partner, friend, or companion
Hope this helps.
Mark
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