Released: November 1, 1946Director: Jean Negulesco; Screenplay: W.R. Burnett based on his novel “I Wasn’t Born Yesterday”; Cinematography: Arthur Edeson; Music: Adolph Deutsch; Producer: Robert Buckner; Studio: Warner Brothers
Cast: John Garfield (Nick Blake), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Gladys Halvorsen), Walter Brennan (Pop Gruber), Faye Emerson (Toni Blackburn), George Coulouris (Doc Ganson), George Tobias (Al Doyle), Robert Shayne (Chet King), Richard Gaines (Charles Manning), Richard Erdman (Bellboy), James Flavin (Shake Thomas), Ralph Peters (Windy Mather)
Here is a personal favorite and yet another film that I consider to be incredibly under-viewed and underappreciated. Since it has no official DVD release, this is one of the first noirs that I ever actively sought a burnt copy of. I became a huge fan of John Garfield after seeing him in The Postman Always Rings Twice and Body and Soul, and then I read about this 1946 release and became very fascinated. Being a complete novice in terms of going about acquiring unreleased movies, it took a little research, but I eventually tracked down a copy and felt vindicated after thoroughly loving it. It is another virtuoso performance from Garfield, who stands out from what could otherwise be viewed as textbook characters. On the strength of his performance alone, Nobody Lives Forever deserves a spot in this countdown. It just so happens that I love a few other elements as well, which accounts for such a high placement.
Nick Blake (John Garfield) is injured in World War II and is discharged after being wounded. Returning to New York City, Nick begins to survey his hometown. Before leaving for the war, Nick had become a major player in the city’s underworld, running various scams and rackets and amassing a small fortune that he left in the care of his girlfriend Toni (Faye Emerson). When he and longtime pal Al Doyle (George Tobias) check up on Toni, they learn that she used that money to set up herself up in a club with a new partner. Extorting a payoff from this new club, Nick and Al decide to take their profits and leave for Los Angeles and live a peaceful life of luxury. But simply stepping away from their old lives is not easy, as even in L.A. they run into old grifter acquaintances like Pop Gruber (Walter Brennan) and Doc Ganson (George Coulouris). Ganson entices Nick to come in on a scam to fleece a widow out of her inherited fortune. Nick agrees, but only if he can run it. He thus begins wooing Gladys Halvorsen (Geraldine Fitzgerald), but inexplicably begins to genuinely fall for her. When he tries to pull out of the scheme rather than hurt Gladys, things begin to spiral out of control – Toni suddenly shows up from New York and Ganson decides to finish the scam on his own terms.
Released the same year as The Best Years of Our Lives and earlier countdown selection Somewhere in the Night, this film covers similar territory. The uncertainty of where one fits in a postwar society is addressed at every turn. Nick feels it doubly, as not only is he a returning veteran, but also a career criminal that suddenly no longer has a solidified position in the underworld. This insecurity is only reinforced when Nick decides to leave New York and seek a fresh start in Los Angeles. Even in L.A. he is reminded of how unsettled things are – former friend and mentor Pop Gruber, a onetime high roller, is reduced to petty scams and work as a pickpocket, and former rackets heavy Doc Ganson sits around a local bar dreaming up schemes that he never seems able to pull off. It is as if Nick wants desperately to move on to new things in his life, but he can’t ever quite completely break away from his sordid New York City roots.
This is not a particularly dark film, especially in comparison to other noirs of the era. Although there is plotting done in traditional smoke-filled backrooms, the majority of the story takes place outdoors on beaches or in a posh resort. The focus on the developing relationship between Nick and Gladys, along with lighthearted moments peppered throughout the story (particularly coming from George Tobias’ good-natured Al Doyle), has the movie at times leaning toward straight drama. But the existential journey of Nick Blake, along with the darkened conclusion on a foggy dock, is enough to qualify with my malleable definition.
The legend is that Humphrey Bogart was originally offered the lead and turned it down, which then allowed it to pass to Garfield. It’s another of those fortuitous breaks that I enjoy pointing out in Hollywood history. I love Bogey, but I don’t know that he could have bettered Garfield’s performance here, as the character seems perfectly written for him.
Oh boy, this is like the eighth film in this countdown I have not yet seen, though you admit at the outset it's a difficult film to track down. of course, Jean Negulesco has a distinguished directing career, and is probably most famous for his Best Director nomination for JOHNNY BELINDA, as well as for his work on TITANIC (1953), THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS and THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. Yes, Dave, I most certainly buy into the proposal that John Garfield alone could turn a film, and I feel the excitement here in your writing that he delivered here in a big way. Both Arthur Edeson and Adolph Deutsch are accomplished craftsmen, and thats quite a supporting cast too.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be looking at this soon. Terrific choice and heads up!
Sam - If you have any issues finding it, let me know, maybe I can finally reciprocate! If you're at all a fan of Garfield then it needs to be seen. I nearly had this one even higher, so that should speak volumes about how good I think it is.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a must - I loved the combination of Garfield and Negulesco in 'Under My Skin' (1950), which I don't think is really a noir overall, although some scenes have that feeling to them. But, anyway, I would be very interested to see them working together on this film too. Garfield also plays a wounded soldier returning home in 'Pride of the Marines' (1945), which I think is a powerful movie and has a lot in common with 'Best Years of Our Lives', which you mention here.
ReplyDeleteYes, Judy, it is a must... which makes it all the more frustrating that it will likely never receive a proper DVD release. Perhaps we can hope that it will at some point be released as part of the Warner Archive series.
ReplyDeleteI think George Tobias steals this pic........as usual.........
ReplyDeleteDave,
ReplyDeleteI've searched for this one on DVD since forever. I first saw it more than thirty years ago on an all night cable station. I've since tried to watch it whenever I can find it. Garfield was the perfect choice for Nick Blake. Never smoother or tougher. And wasn't Gerry Fitzgerald a stunner back in the day, as was Faye Emerson. Glad it made your list, it's sure been on mine for a long time.
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ReplyDeleteIt was the best movie ever. I think Jean Negulesco is one of the nicest directors in his category, everything is brilliant and we can talk about the script: something impressive.
ReplyDeleteNick decides to pay the others the $30,000 he promised them using his own money. However, Toni shows up and learns of the aborted scheme, excellent information it is amazing !
ReplyDeleteGreat article! Thanks for writing it. The only issue is that the hyperlink appears to be broken, is it just down? I'd love to find out more information regarding this subject.
ReplyDeleteCould somebody tell me what the quote was that Nick said about pop? Something like this "You wake up one morning and you're old" It was something like that
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