Movie Review: The Fake (1953)

Genre: Crime Drama

Director: Godfrey Grayson

Starring: Dennis O'Keefe, Coleen Gray, Hugh Williams

Running Time: 80 minutes

Synopsis: American private detective Paul Mitchell (Dennis O'Keefe) is in London to solve the mystery of recently stolen Leonardo da Vinci paintings. After thwarting another attempted theft, he meets Tate Gallery employee Mary Mason (Colleen Gray) and suspects her disgruntled father Henry (John Laurie) is creating fakes to help conceal the thefts. Wealthy benefactor Sir Richard Aldingham (Hugh Williams), Tate director Randall (Gerald Case), and insurance investigator Smith (Guy Middleton) are all interested in the outcome of Mitchell's sleuthing.

What Works Well: This British production strides confidently into the haughty art world where criminal behaviour is more about ego than greed. Many of the scenes are filmed at the Tate, and director Godfrey Grayson commits to a nightime Noir aesthetic filled with shadows and stark light sources. O'Keefe is sturdy in the lead role, and the romance with Gray is pleasingly slow-to-blossom and carries the thorns of ulterior motives. The soundtrack playfully interprets Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

What Does Not Work As Well: Some of the plot details jump to conclusions, including rushed determinations of fakes and originals and Mitchell immediately suspecting Henry Mason's involvement. Some of the cloak and dagger scenes are unnecessarily drawn out, while in contrast the final act short-changes the antagonist perspectives as it hustles towards the ending.

Conclusion: Not a masterpiece, but still a fine picture.



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Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948)

Genre: Crime Drama Noir

Director: Anthony Mann

Starring: Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor, Marsha Hunt, Raymond Burr

Running Time: 79 minutes

Synopsis: Imprisoned convicted criminal Joe Sullivan (Dennis O'Keefe) is loved by two women: his longtime girlfriend Pat (Claire Trevor), and legal caseworker Ann (Marsha Hunt). Gang boss Rick Coyle (Raymond Burr) arranges for Joe to escape, secretly hoping Joe will be killed in the process to avoid paying him $50,000 owed. But Joe successfully breaks free, and accompanied by both Pat and Ann attempts to avoid a police manhunt while doggedly making his way to a rendevouz with Rick.

What Works Well: The uncompromising drama efficiently focuses on four characters, with plenty of nighttime cinematography allowing director Anthony Mann to emphasize grim Noir aesthetics. Raymond Burr dominates his few scenes as a memorably ruthless mobster.

What Does Not Work As Well: The short length truncates character definitions, but the story still runs out of things to say. Surprisingly little momentum is generated, and the deflationary distractions include a dropped-out-of-nowhere second manhunt for another killer, and a wayward shift in emphasis to Ann's moment of reckoning when forced to use a gun. The love triangle dynamics are awkwardly wedged into the crime milieu, with Pat's jealousy accompanied by whiny narration. What could have been compelling elaborations on Joe's criminal past and his history with Rick are short-changed.

Conclusion: Decently grim style served over undercooked plot elements.



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