Blast from the Past: Anthony Mann Revisited
Anthony Mann directed Raw Deal, a film noir starring Dennis O’Keefe, Claire Trevor and Marsha Hunt.
It was beautifully shot by master cinematographer John Alton, with sets designed by art director Edward L. Ilou.
When the nstory begins, Prison convict Joe Sullivan has “taken the fall” for an unspecified crime. His share for committing the crime was to be $50,000.
Plot
Joe breaks out of jail with the help of his girl Pat, in an escape facilitated by their former accomplice Rick Coyle. A sadistic mobster, Rick expects that Joe will be killed during his escape and so Rick wilĺ avoid paying $50,000.
When, against all expectations, the breakout succeeds, Rick decides that he must have Joe killed.
After they board a ship, Joe attempts to convince Pat to start a new life in South America together.
When the guilt-stricken Pat confesses to Joe that Ann has been abducted by Rick, Joe races to save Ann. Under the cover of a thick fog, Joe gets past Rick’s henchmen and sneaks into Rick’s room. A gunfight erupts, Rick and Joe shoot each other, inadvertently start a fire.
Joe and Rick, both wounded, fight hand-to-hand, and then Joe pushes Rick through an window to his death. Lying in the street, Joe dies in Ann’s arms as Pat looks on before saying in voice-over: “This is right for Joe, this is what he wanted.”
Defying conventions, in this noirish romantic triangle, it’s two women who are in love with the same man.
Ultimately, Raw Deal is more impressive visually than thematically, boasting all the elements of film noir as a distinctive style.
An indie nproduction by Edward Small, it was distributed by Eagle-Lion Films.
When the film was released, the N.Y. Times critic Bosley Crowther panned it, but it was noneheless a success at the box office.
Ultimately, it’s not a major Mann work, when cmoared with the series of westerns and other moves he made with Jimmy Stewart in the 1950s.
Cast
Dennis O’Keefe as Joe Sullivan
Claire Trevor as Pat Regan
Marsha Hunt as Ann Martin
John Ireland as Fantail
Raymond Burr as Rick Coyle
Curt Conway as Spider
