REVIEW: ‘Beat the Devil’ finds Humphrey Bogart in search for not love but uranium
Beat the Devil, which is finishing up a run at New York City’s Film Forum, has a lot of Hollywood credibility in the credits. The 1953 flick features John Huston in the director’s chair, Truman Capote on writing duties and Humphrey Bogart on the acting docket. Add in Jennifer Jones, Peter Lorre and Gina Lollobrigida, and this one should fly with ease.
There are problems.
Bogart plays Billy Dannreuther, a less convincing romantic than Rick Blaine in Casablanca. This character is harsher, more cynical but still witty. His wife is Gina (Lollobrigida), and the two are headed from Italy to East Africa on a secret uranium deal. Their ship is delayed, and that leaves enough time for Billy and Gina to get to know some of their fellow passengers, including Gwendolen Chelm (Jennifer Jones) and Harry Chelm (Edward Underdown). This British couple appreciate the company of Billy and Gina, but Harry grows increasingly frustrated with their stranding in this coastal town.
Gwendolen, on the other hand, is smitten with Billy and quickly falls for his unusual and transfixing ways. Complicating matters are characters played by Robert Morley and Peter Lorre, among others, who all want their hands on that uranium deal. They plot their moves around cafe tables with fancy cigarettes providing a metaphorical (and literal) smokescreen.
The plot of the film is clunky, and the characters’ motivations seem either exaggerated (Jones), too subdued (Bogart) or clumsily stereotypical (Underdown). There’s no real hero in the story because Bogart’s Billy is not that charming. The female roles are unfortunately underwritten, especially Lollobrigida’s Gina.
The standouts are Morley and Lorre, and perhaps this is to be expected. The two were consummate actors who could turn a phrase, offer a glance and dig deep into their cinematic creations. Morley is given the better of the two roles, someone who enjoys a good conversation and believes he can find the solution to any problem that arises. He’s a practical man with a dubious streak.
Huston makes ample use of the Italian coastal city and its environs. When the party eventually makes its way to Africa, the action and setting don’t seem as authentic. In fact, by this time in the narrative, the plot is rushed along to its conclusion.
Capote apparently wrote the movie as Huston was filming. This might explain a lot. There are some downfalls to the meandering story, but there’s also a realness to some of the conversations and a whim to the characters’ motivations that feel oddly absurd and wholly appropriate.
This may be the best movie possible with these characters. It’s certainly not the best movie possible with these actors.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Beat the Devil (1953), which is playing in a new 4K restoration at Film Forum, was directed by John Huston and written by Truman Capote. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida, Robert Morley, Edward Underdown and Peter Lorre. Running time: 89 minutes. Rating: 
