Set in Los Angeles, a private detective (George Montgomery) is hired by a wealthy Pasadena woman (Florence Bates) to find a rare and valuable coin called the Brasher Doubloon that has been stolen. But things go astray when she withdraws her offer and dead bodies start turning up. Based on the novel THE HIGH WINDOW by Raymond Chandler (previously filmed in 1942) and directed by John Brahm (HANGOVER SQUARE). As a film noir, the film is passable and Brahm's direction is decent. But the movie is an excellent example of how miscasting can sink a movie. George Montgomery is so wrong in the role of Philip Marlowe (calling him inadequate is being generous) that he gums up the narrative. Marlowe has been played successfully by Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum and Dick Powell to name a handful and they brought the necessary edgy gravitas to Chandler's detective. Montgomery brings nothing! The movie is more successful in its two female characters: Nancy Guild as neurotic secretary with a secret and Florence Bates is spot on as the wealthy but malevolent dowager. With Roy Roberts, Conrad Janis and Frtiz Kortner.
No comments:
Post a Comment