Dark Passage (Warner Bros.) (1947)

PUBLICITY Announcement Stories, Review (Advance Reader) ‘DARK PASSAGE’ OPENING FRIDAY AT THE STRAND Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are cast together for the third time in Warner Bros.’ dramatic “Dark Passage” which opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. This is an _ actionpacked screen version of the David Goodis novel of the same name, which has been directed by Delmer Daves. Daves is also responsible for the screen play, making this a double-scoring chore for him. In support of the leading duo are: Agnes Moorehead, Bruce Bennett and Tom _ D’Andrea. Clifton Young and Rory Mallinson round out the roster of supporting players. Miss Bacall’s assignment is a more sympathetic one than usual, as she depicts a serious-minded young lady here, instead of the sultry enchantress. Bogart is cast as an escaped convict from San Quentin who tries to prove his innocence. All of this is shot in and near San Francisco, where the company spent a month shooting exteriors. The Golden Gate Bridge figures prominently in the action and the camera makes wide use of this engineering structure to motivate the more exciting moments in the picture. One of the standout scenes is a slugfest betweeen Bogart and Young beneath the bridge. Music in the production is by Franz Waxman, with “Too Marvelous for Words” revived as a running theme song. THE CAST Humphrey Bogart MAT 1B Vincent Parry HUMPHREY BOGART Irene Jansen LAUREN BACALL BOO a ae Bruce Bennett Madge Rapf Agnes Moorehead Sam (Cabby)..Tom D’Andrea Baker .............. Clifton Young Detective ... Douglas Kennedy George Fellsinger Rory Mallinson Dr. Walter Coley Houseley Stevenson PRODUCTION Produced by Jerry Wald. Directed by Delmer Daves. Screenplay by Delmer Daves; from the novel by David Goodis. Director of Photography, Sid Hickox, A.S.C. Art Director, Charles H. Clarke. Film Editor, David Weisbart. Sound by Dolph Thomas. Set Decorations by William Kuehl. Special Effects Photography by H. F. Koenekamp, A.S.C. Makeup Artist, Pere Westmore. Wardrobe by Bernard Newman. Orchestral Arrangements by Leonid Raab; music by Franz Waxman; musical director, Leo F. Forbstein. Assistant Director, Dick Mayberry. TOGETHER IN ‘DARK PASSAGE’ Still No. 675-509 THIRD TIME TOGETHER. Humphrey Bogart slugs it out in Warner Bros.’ gripping "Dark Passage," celebrated Saturday Evening Post story, now at the Strand, with Lauren Bacall opposite. MAT 2D (Prepared Review) ‘Dark Passage’ Is Gripping Drama With Bogart-Bacall New Warner Bros. Offering Filmed Against San Francisco Background Excitement and gripping suspense accents Warner Bros.’ new offering, “Dark Passage”? which brings together for the third time on the screen the dramatic talents of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Last night’s audience at the Strand Theatre, where the picture opened, greeted the film with enthusiastic interest, stamping approval on the performances, the sharply-edged story and the keen direction. Shot in Frisco “Dark Passage” abounds in more than one happy result. Jerry Wald and Delmer Daves have joined together again and turned out a neat gem of entertainment. It is packed with thrills, romantic interest and strikes a new high in smooth action. Most of “Dark Passage” was shot in San Francisco, with considerable footage devoted to outdoor scenes around the Bay City. Bogart’s role has him serving a term in prison for a crime which he did not commit. Soon after his neatly staged escape he is picked up by a young lady (Miss Bacall) who is driving along in her station-wagon. She apparently knows all about him from having followed his trial in the newspapers. The dialogue which is adapted from the David Goodis’ novel of the same title, offers some excellent moments for the stars, as both are adept at the clipped, terse manner of delivery. Miss Bacall is cast in a more sympathetic role this time. She discards the slinky type of role which introduced her to the screen, for that of a very sincere young woman. Supporting the two leading stars in an important part is Agnes Moorehead. She is past mistress at the menacing type of character, and as she appears glamorized for the first time on the screen here, the performance is exceptionally dramatic. Special honors go to Sid Hickox, A.S.C., who directed the photography. H. F. Koenekamp, A.S.C., in charge of the special effects, also rates applause for the striking montage shots which are utilized. This is especially interesting when Bogart is having his face remodeled and his mind moves through a cloud of faces and memories. This is given a weird, abstract treatment, displaying Hollywood skill at its best. Sharp Portraits Tom D’Andrea as a taxi cab driver also delivers a standout performance. Clifton Young as a small time crook is another who presents.a sharp portrait. He is a personality to watch. Bruce Bennett and Rory Mallinson complete the array of supporting players. Franz Waxman handled the musical end of the film, and one comes away humming “Too Marvelous for Words” which is revived as a theme song. “Dark Passage” is first-rate entertainment, and keeps the BogartBacall team out front as a strong acting duo on the screen. (Opening Day Reader) BOGART-BACALL CO-STARRER AT STRAND TODAY “Dark Passage,” Warner Bros.’ gripping drama of San Francisco co-starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, opens today at the Strand Theatre. This is Bogart’s forty-first film for Warner Bros., the studio where he reported in 1935 for his screen bow as Duke Mantee in “The Petrified Forest,’ the same role that he created on Broadway. In supporting parts are: Agnes Moorehead, Bruce Bennett and Tom D’Andrea. Clifton Young and Rory Mallinson are others who are seen in important parts. It is also particularly interesting to note that Delmer Daves, who directed this Jerry Wald production, also wrote the screen play. This story is adapted from a David Goodis’ novel of the same name. All of the action is shot on the spot in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio and San Quentin, all figure in the strong stirring action. Franz Waxman conducted the music department on this production, with “Too Marvelous for Words” revived for popular appeal. THE STORY (Not for Publication) Vincent Parr gy (Humphrey Bogart) who has been serving a term in San Quentin for a murder he did not commit, escapes and hides in a ditch. He thumbs a ride on the main high. Lauren Bacall way and apMAT 1A pears safe for the time being, until the driver (Clifton Young) becomes too inquisitive. Parry slugs him and is about to drive off himself, when a stationwagon comes up with a young lady at the wheel. Irene (Lauren Baeall) orders him into the car, seems to know all about him, and tells Parry that she alone can get him past the toll gate into the city. He is suspicious just the same, because of the girl’s association with Bob Rapf (Bruce Bennett) and his estranged wife, Madge Rapf (Agnes Moorehead). That night Parry leaves Irene’s apartment to see an old friend, George (Rory Mallinson), who agrees to let him move in for a_ few days. Through the efforts of a friendly cab driver (Tom D’Andrea), Parry goes to a shady plastic surgeon for a remodeling job on his face. He returns to George’s apartment to rest. He finds George dead, his skull crushed. Parry staggers back to Irene’s apartment. Later when the bandages are removed he decides to leave and try to solve the murder of his wife and his friend, George. The next day the driver who had first picked him up on the highway, appears and _ talks blackmail. Parry manages to wrest information out of him which points the finger at Madge. He accuses her of the double murder. Unable to escape now, Madge jumps out of the window. Parry makes a hurried call to Irene, telling her that he is going south. She tells him she understands and a year later the two meet in a small coastal town in South America. Running time: 106 minutes