A Bullet for Joey is a 1955 film noir directed by Lewis Allen and starring Edward G. Robinson and George Raft.[2] The picture involves a gangster who sneaks into Canada to kidnap a scientist for the communists. The supporting cast features Audrey Totter,[1][3][4] Peter van Eyck,[1][3] George Dolenz[1][3][4] and Peter Hansen.[3]
Plot
Communist agents in Canada are spying on Dr. Carl Macklin, an atomic physicist whose knowledge they want to steal. To kidnap him, Eric Hartman, the party's top man in Montreal, offers $100,000 to deported American criminal Joe Victor.
Joe's former flame Joyce Geary is blackmailed into helping with the plan. Police inspector Leduc of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigates. A thug working for Victor kills the scientist's secretary after using her to gain information. Leduc is taken prisoner aboard a ship as Hartman and Victor attempt to take Dr. Macklin with them to Europe.
Leduc pleads with Victor, who misses his native country, to do the right thing for and help stop the communists. A shootout ensues between Victor and Hartman and they kill each other. Joyce's innocence is proven to the satisfaction of Leduc and the law.
Cast
- Edward G. Robinson as Inspector Leduc
- George Raft as Joe Victor
- Audrey Totter as Joyce
- Peter van Eyck as Hartman
- George Dolenz as Macklin
- Peter Hansen as Fred
Production
The film was originally titled Canada's Great Manhunt.[5] It was inspired by a magazine article by Stephen Brott. The article was built into a full story by James Benson Nablo, and it was optioned by Samuel Bischoff and David Diamond. Geoffrey Homes wrote the script and George Raft and Edward G. Robinson were signed to play the leads. Gloria Grahame was sought to play the female lead.[6]
Filming began on December 10, 1954. Robinson and Raft each paid writer A. I. Bezzerides to assist with their dialogue.[7]
Release
A Bullet for Joey was released in New York on April 15, 1955.[8] The film was released in London at the Exhibitors' Trade Show on April 7, 1955 and in Australia on March 16, 1956.[1]
Reception
Dorothy Masters of the New York Daily News wrote: "[T]he story is laid right on the line in a semi-documentary style. It begins well, accumulating a lot of tension in the crescendo, but overextends on the climax, by which time the tally of corpses is nearing astronomical figures. Although the presentation is not geared to thespian indulgences, Robinson manages to convey conviction and authority in his portrayal."[9]
Fred W. Fox of the Los Angeles Mirror wrote: "'A Bullet for Joey' may not be Oscar fare but it is neat melodrama that holds the spectator's attention."[10]
John L. Scott of the Los Angeles Times called the film a "moderately exciting crime thriller" with a "somewhat lugubrious plot."[11]
Home video
A Bullet for Joey was released on Blu-ray in November 2015[12] and on DVD[13] by Kino Lorber Studio Classics on July 10, 2007 and November 17, 2015.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Reid 2009b
- ^ A Bullet for Joey at the TCM Movie Database. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Aaker 2013, p. 162.
- ^ a b Beck 2008, p. 62.
- ^ "FILM EVENTS: Actor From Spain Gets Lead Role". Los Angeles Times. February 25, 1955. p. 23. ProQuest 166729370.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (September 11, 1954). "ROBINSON TO STAR WITH RAFT IN FILM: Head Cast in 'Canada's Great Manhunt,' Melodrama About Atomic Bomb Spy Plot". The New York Times. p. 11. ProQuest 112974729.
- ^ Aaker p 164
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (April 16, 1955). "Screen: But at the End . . .; 'Bullet for Joey' Saves Key Atomic Scientist". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Masters, Dororthy (May 1, 1955). "A Bullet for Joey". New York Daily News. p. 28.
- ^ Fox, Fred W. (August 4, 1955). "'Bullet for Joey' Taut Job". Los Angeles Mirror. p. 21.
- ^ Scott, John L. (August 4, 1955). "Two Action Films Open". Los Angeles Times. p. 6, Part II. ProQuest 166829268.
- ^ "Kino Lorber Studio Classics". Classic Images. January 2016. p. 36.
- ^ A Bullet for Joey (Blu-ray). Kino Lorber Studio Classics. July 10, 2007. ASIN B014K3642A. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
Sources
- Aaker, Everett (2013). The Films of George Raft. New York City: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786466467.
- Beck, Robert (2008). The Edward G. Robinson Encyclopedia (Paperback ed.). New York City: McFarland & Company. p. 62. ISBN 978-0786438648.
- Reid, John Howard (2009a). Film Noir, Detective and Mystery Movies on DVD: A Guide to the Best in Suspense. Raleigh, North Carolina: Lulu Books. ISBN 978-1435730106.
- Reid, John Howard (2009b). Mystery, Suspense, Film Noir and Detective Movies on DVD: A Guide to the Best in Cinema Thrills. Raleigh, North Carolina: Lulu Books. ISBN 978-0557122233.
External links
- A Bullet for Joey at IMDb
- A Bullet for Joey at AllMovie
- A Bullet for Joey at the TCM Movie Database
- Review of film at Cinema Retro
- Review of film at Variety
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