The first in a series of occasional posts on forgotten movies that you should watch.
When you think of the names of Humphrey Bogart , Peter Lorie and Conrad Veidt in a motion picture naturally the classic movie Casablanca (1942) is the first picture that comes to mind and rightfully so as it is one of the greatest movies of all time. However if you go back to the beginning of that year, you will find another movie where the three of them appear that is worth your time to see. All Through the Night
Bogart plays “Gloves” Donahue who in addition to fixing bets and various swindle is known for his love of cheesecake and not just cheesecake but Miller’s Cheesecake. So when Mr. Miller disappears and turns up dead and a strange alluring woman (Karen Verne) turns up and disappears shortly afterward looking for him Donahue finds himself on a 24 romp that cumulates in murder, manhunts and finally reveals a Nazi 5th column in the heart of NY run by a man named Ebbing (Veidt) assisted by aides Pepi (Lorie) and Madame (Dame Judith Anderson).
The movie moves quickly and features a who’s who of soon to be comedy greats from William Demarest (his Lieutenant) to Jackie Gleason (one of his men) to Phil Silvers (The waiter) ably assisted by Frank McHugh whose attempt to enjoy his wedding night are stymied at every turn and Jane Darwell one of the grand dames of Hollywood who plays Bogart’s character’s mother who constantly has a feeling about things.
They’re plenty of fun, chases and suspense with a fair amount of danger thrown in. The writing is crisp and acting is strong and the one liners are very solid.
This is a movie that deserves to be watched and enjoyed by more people. I suggest you become one of them.
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