Dark Passage (1947)

An escaped convict (Humphrey Bogart) is helped by a wealthy amateur artist (Lauren Bacall) who hides him from the police while he attempts to prove his innocence in the death of his wife. Based on a novel by David Goodis (whose novel DOWN THERE provided the basis of Truffaut's SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER) and directed by Delmar Daves, the most interesting aspect of the pulpy plot is that the first hour of the film is seen through the POV of Bogart's character. We never see his face until he undergoes plastic surgery, just hear his voice. It's a rather talky piece and drags in many spots but the casting is pretty good and even the most minor roles are played by actors who make their presence felt, in particular Houseley Stevenson as a creepy plastic surgeon whose medical license has been revoked. It's not one of Bogart's best performances (he acts so guilty who could blame the cops?) and though he still has that chemistry with Bacall, her fatale act was beginning to wear thin at this point but Agnes Moorehead, in a rare glam role, ups the ante as Bacall's malicious friend and she makes a spectacular exit. Music by Franz Waxman. With Bruce Bennett, Tom D'Andrea, Douglas Kennedy and Mary Field.