High Sierra (1941)

My Review

“High Sierra” is a film noir drama about an aging ex-convict who gets involved in a jewelry heist in a small town in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain region. Director Raoul Walsh (“They Drive by Night” 1940) put together a classy melodrama with excellent production values, memorable performances, and outstanding writing. The screenplay was written by John Huston and W. R. Burnett, adapted from Burnett’s 1940 novel of the same name.

Humphrey Bogart delivered a layered performance as a criminal recently released from prison, drawn into one last crime spree. This was Bogart’s breakout role from supporting parts to leading man and big star. He would star in “The Maltese Falcon” released later in 1941. Ida Lupino received top billing and was actually the bigger star than Boggie. Lupino’s formidable screen presense, dynamic acting abilities, and sophisticated sex appeal makes for good chemistry with Bogart as his moll.

Co-stars include Alan Curtis, Arthur Kennedy, Joan Leslie, Henry Hull, Henry Travers, Barton MacLane, Jerome Cowan, Mina Gombell, Donald MacBride, Willie Best, George Meeker, and Eddie Acuff as the bus driver. “High Sierra” was a big hit at the box office for Warner Bros. Pictures. It was filmed at various locations around California, including Mt. Whitney, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Death Valley, and the Warner Bros. sound stages in Burbank.