Sturges' wartime nod to the Marines, characterised by the last lines: Bracken: 'I knew the marines could do almost anything, but I never knew they could do anything like this." Bugsy: "You got no idea."
I didn't recognise Bugsy, Freddie Steel, from other Sturges or from anything else, for that matter. Despite not being in much else of note he was a supporting character in Black Angel. He makes a strong impression as slightly shell-shocked soldier.
As noted before, notable for its many scenes in one take, lasting several minutes - it's one of the least edited Sturges films. Raymond Walburn is one of many cast able to carry out these long scenes word perfect, with much complicated action and dialogue. And in that great bar room moment with Bracken and the marines, and the camera gradually tracks in on him, the sound disappears - and then, as noted before, when he says 'They bled and died' and you hear the cash register, that's when the sound comes back in. I think.
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| Al Bridge with Walburn |
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