Film Review: Out of the Past (1947)
Out of the Past, the 1947 film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur, is a quintessential representation and the ultimate textbook example of the genre. Based on the novel Build My Gallows High by Daniel Mainwaring and scripted by the same author, this classic is a must-see for any fan of classic Hollywood.
The plot unfolds in Bridgeport, California, a small mountain town, where our protagonist, Jeff Bailey (played by Robert Mitchum), leads a quiet life as a gas station owner. However, his serenity is shattered when a sinister-looking man, Joe Stefanos (played by Paul Valentine), arrives in town, seeking him out. Jeff confides in his girlfriend, Ann Miller (played by Virginia Huston), that his real name is Jeff Markham, and through a series of flashbacks, we learn of his past as a private detective in New York City. He was hired by gambling kingpin Whit Sterling (played by Kirk Douglas) to locate Kathie Moffat (played by Jane Greer), Sterling's girlfriend who shot him and took off with $40,000 of his money. Instead of bringing Kathie back, Jeff falls for her charms in Acapulco and decides to run off with her to San Francisco, where they are eventually found by Jeff's former partner, Jack Fisher (played by Steve Brodie), who attempts to blackmail them. This sets off a chain of events involving betrayal and murder
Produced by RKO, the studio best known for B-films, Out of the Past was given a large budget, allowing for the talents of director Jacques Tourneur, cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca, and composer Roy Webb to shine. The result is an effective "noirish" atmosphere of fatalism in a world plagued by greed, corruption, and irresistible passion. Tourneur's experience in directing B-films proved invaluable in creating the perfect setting for the complex characters and intricate plot.
The film boasts an excellent cast, with Robert Mitchum delivering a quintessential film noir performance. As a private investigator, Mitchum's Jeff Markham checks all the tropes – a narrator, cynical attitude, fedora, trench coat, and cigarette dangling from his mouth – but his macho bluster is no match for the irresistible lure of the wrong woman, leading him to make fatal choices. Jane Greer is equally impressive as the typically norish femme fatale, whose baby-like face belies her ruthlessness and depravity. Kirk Douglas, in one of his first prominent roles, is also good as the seemingly powerful gangster who succumbs to the fatal female charms.
Out of the Past also benefits from an excellent supporting cast, including Rhonda Fleming as another femme fatale, Dickie Moore as Jeff's deaf and dumb young gas station employee, and Anita Huston as Jeff's "good" girl with whom he unsuccessfully tries to turn a new page in life. Despite a convoluted and sometimes confusing plot, which has been attributed to a chaotic production that left a couple of pages of script lost, the film works thanks to the great skills behind the camera and near-perfect cast.
Out of the Past represents the true classic of the genre, and one of the best Hollywood films of its era. In 1984, a remake, set in modern times, was directed by Taylor Hackford under the title Against All Odds, starring Jeff Bridges, Rachel Ward, and James Woods. Predictably, the remake failed to make the same impact as the original.
In conclusion, Out of the Past remains a timeless classic, a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of the silver screen. Its influence extends far beyond the confines of the film noir genre, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cinema. For those seeking a true taste of the quintessential film noir experience, Out of the Past is the gold standard.
RATING: 8/10 (+++)
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