In a Lonely Place

In a Lonely Place, Nicholas Ray 1950

Short-fused screen writer Dixon Steele (Humphrey Bogart) is resolute about only adapting good novels to the big screen, but in need of work he begrudgingly agrees to adapt a trashy bestselling novel although he won't read the book himself - instead paying a cloakroom girl to accompany him home to relay the narrative in her own words. The following morning the woman is found brutally murdered, with Steele seen as the prime suspect, but his new neighbour Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame) is able to supply the police with an alibi.
The pair quickly develop a passionate love affair but gradually Laurel suspects that her hot-tempered boyfriend subject to fits of rage was actually capable of committing the murder.

Bogart and Art Smith

Frank Lovejoy

Gloria Grahame and Humphrey Bogart

Apart from the fantastic performances from Bogart and Gloria Grahame; the tumultuous suspense-laced love story; cutting dialogue and the bleak insight into the film industry; the set design notably helped heighten the narrative's emotional resonance, I think they were beautifully done.

On a side note, who knew that director Nicholas Ray (well-known for Rebel Without a Cause) studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright before moving on to work in Hollywood. I think his background is evident in the way he executes his mise en scene.

"I was born when she kissed me, I died when she left me, I lived a few weeks while she loved me."

"What does it matter what I think? I'm the guy who tried to talk Selznick out of doing 'Gone With the Wind'."

Dixon Steele was undoubtedly Bogart's darkest role, and he gives a great performance

Ray shines a light on Steele's eyes to highlight his seething anger

Very well written, with three-dimensional characters featuring a dark yet vulnerable Humphrey Bogart in (I think) his best performance, this film addresses the faults of the Hollywood industry. There is a seething cynicism to Bogart's character that keeps building with suspense, and it's just so wonderfully written and played by all actors. It's good to see great actors taking on the gritty roles.