The greatest films of Humphrey Bogart: #9 "High Sierra" (1941)
By John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109846)
Los Angeles, California
February 3, 2020 6:49am CST
“High Sierra” established Bogart as a leading man star. The film was released prior to “The Maltese Falcon” in 1941. Before “High Sierra,” Bogart toiled in supporting roles for a decade. Even here he takes second billing to Ida Lupino who actually had less screen time. Directed by the admired Raoul Walsh, “High Sierra” was scripted by John Huston and W.R. Burnett from Burnett’s novel. Much of the film are exteriors shot at familiar California locations like Lone Pine, Death Valley and Mount Whitney.
Bogart plays Roy “Mad Dog” Earle who is no mad dog. He is just a weary middleaged career criminal resigned to the fact that crime is all he is capable of doing. Roy is sprung from prison by an old comrade to pull off a job at a California resort hotel. The film is not really about the holdup but a character study of Roy. He is not an emotionally psychotic criminal but merely a man like any other whose profession happens to be criminal.
Along the way Roy falls in love with a callous young woman and even that is a bad choice. He knows nothing can ever develop there. Lupino plays a dance hall gal whom Roy protects. “High Sierra” refers to Roy’s final stand in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Bogart’s ability to bring sensitivity to a criminal clicked with audiences. You see a man who will pull the trigger if need be but who yearns for love and what he can never have. “High Sierra” is must see Bogart.
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10 people like this
9 responses
@andriaperry (117530)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 Feb 20
I don`t recall this one but the name sounds like I have seen it.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90741)
• Arvada, Colorado
4 Feb 20
I do remember this one too John.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70010)
• United States
3 Feb 20
Ooh, what a good one!!!! But then, as I said yesterday, I’ll be saying that a lot in this countdown.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (183564)
• United States
3 Feb 20
That was another one that was part of our assembly..of course I think I had already seen it, along with African Queen.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (224264)
• Chile
3 Feb 20
I haven´t seen that one. I wonder how can I get it.
1 person likes this