Dark Passage (1947) | Directed by Delmer Daves

Dark Passage tells the story of Vincent Parry, a man wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife who escapes from San Quentin Prison to clear his name. After undergoing plastic surgery to change his appearance, he hides in San Francisco, helped by a sympathetic young woman named Irene Jansen who believes in his innocence. As Parry tries to unravel the mystery and avoid the police, the film builds a tense atmosphere of paranoia, shadowy motives, and unexpected revelations. The narrative is driven by his quest for justice and identity in a world that views him as guilty.

Genre: Film noir, crime drama

Director: Delmer Daves

Delmer Daves was an American screenwriter, director, and producer known for his work in film noir, Westerns, and romantic dramas. Born in 1904 in San Francisco, he started out as a scriptwriter in the 1930s before transitioning to directing in the 1940s. Daves had a strong visual style and a knack for location shooting, often bringing psychological depth to his characters. Besides Dark Passage, he directed popular films such as A Summer Place, Broken Arrow, and 3:10 to Yuma. He was known for his craftsmanship and for guiding nuanced performances from his stars.

Star cast:
Humphrey Bogart as Vincent Parry
Lauren Bacall as Irene Jansen
Bruce Bennett as Bob
Agnes Moorehead as Madge Rapf
Tom D'Andrea as Sam
Clifton Young as Baker

Public reaction:
Dark Passage was well received for its unique use of first-person point-of-view cinematography, especially in the first half of the film, which was a novelty at the time. Audiences were intrigued by this experimental approach, which delayed showing Bogart’s face until after his character’s plastic surgery. The film was also praised for the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, in what was their third on-screen pairing. While not as commercially successful as some of their other films, it has since become a cult favorite among noir enthusiasts and is admired for its moody atmosphere and creative direction.

Fun facts:

* Much of the early part of the film is shot from the main character's point of view, with the camera standing in for his eyes. This meant Bogart's face isn't seen until about halfway through the movie.
* The film was the third of four screen collaborations between real-life couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Their off-screen romance added an extra layer of interest for moviegoers.
* Many of the exterior scenes were shot on location in San Francisco, giving the film an authentic and atmospheric backdrop. The city’s hills, fog, and architecture enhance the noir tone.
* The house where Irene lives in the film is a real San Francisco landmark at 1360 Montgomery Street, which has become a point of interest for film fans.
* Agnes Moorehead, often cast in more sympathetic roles, was praised for her turn as the manipulative and bitter Madge Rapf, a standout performance that added to the film’s tension.

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