The Crooked Way
by Robert Florey
List Price:
Our Price: $4.21
You Save: $1.78 (30%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ellen Drew, John Payne, Percy Helton, Rhys Williams, Sonny TuftsDirector: Robert Florey
Cinematographer: John Alton
Editor: Frank Sullivan
Producer: Benedict Bogeaus
Writer: Richard H. Landau
Writer: Robert Monroe
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-11-22
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Movie Reviews of The Crooked Way
Movie Review: "I'm easy to do business with. You talk, you live."
Summary: 5 Stars
Eddie Rice (John Payne) is a WWII veteran that's just been released out of the hospital. Because of a combat injury, he has complete amnesia. The only thing he knows is that he came from Los Angeles, so he goes to the city looking for someone, anyone, who might recognize him and help him unravel his past. Unfortunately, the first ones to recognize him are cops, who know him by another name, Eddie Riccardi, cold-blooded gangster. But they don't know that he's totally forgotten his notorious past. After being released by the cops, Eddie runs into his ex-wife, Nina (Ellen Drew) who's not too pleased to see him. The Eddie she knew was cruel and heartless, and of course she's very reluctant to believe his amnesia story. The next one to find out that "Eddie's back in town" is Eddie's former mob boss, Vince Alexander (Sonny Tufts). Vince is also upset that Eddie has returned, because Eddie had double-crossed him years ago and Vince has been waiting to get revenge ever since.
Because of the watchful eyes of the local cops and detectives, Vince sees that killing Eddie and getting away with it is impossible. So, he does the next best thing. He frames Eddie for the murder of a respected police officer, and before long Eddie (with plenty of angry cops looking for him) is wishing he'd just stayed at the hospital and left his past as a blank space. He finally convinces his ex-wife that his amnesia is genuine, and she finally decides to help him escape from the police as well as try to clear himself before his rediscovered life is brought to a tragic end. And while he's at it, Eddie sparks up a new romance with his ex-wife, who's very pleased with the "new" Eddie that`s kind and loving. With the cops closing in fast on Eddie, he bravely decides to take on Vince and his gang alone in a deserted building. Will the cops arrive in time to save Eddie, or will they find nothing but corpses filled with lead? Watch and find out!
1949's "The Crooked Way" is an obscure but highly enjoyable film noir, with some of the most stylish noir photography and lighting I've ever seen. This is because the cinematography was handled by the legendary John Alton, the most recognized and respected name in film noir cinematography. To be honest, I've never thought of John Payne as a great actor. However, with his gloomy, cynical personality and his frequent frowning, he was perfect for film noir, and appeared in several classics besides this one ("Kansas City Confidential", "Slightly Scarlet", "99 River Street", "Hell's Island"). With sharp dialogue, a well-crafted and fast-paced plot, and amazing cinematography, "The Crooked Way" is a great film noir that deserves a better reputation. Recently released on DVD by Geneon Entertainment, the picture quality is wonderful. The sound quality was only average, but considering the very low price of the DVD I have no complaints. If you enjoy classic noir films, then add this gem to your collection!
Similar DVD Movies
Road House (Fox Film Noir)LUPINO,IDA; Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
Film Noir Classic Collection: Volume Five (Cornered / Desperate / The Phenix City Story / Deadline at Dawn / Armored Car Robbery / Crime in the Streets / Dial 1119 / Backfire)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-07-13; DVD
Best price: $33.69
Price in other shops:
Affair in TrinidadSony; Release date: 2008-09-23; DVD
Best price: $2.19
Price in other shops:
T-MenGenius; Release date: 2005-10-18; DVD
Best price: $4.16
Price in other shops:
Raw DealGenius; Release date: 2005-10-18; DVD
Best price: $2.94
Price in other shops:
Slightly ScarletVideo Communications Inc.; Release date: 2002-02-26; DVD
Best price: $4.56
Price in other shops:
PitfallRelease date: 2011-05-20; DVD
Best price: $9.99
The ProwlerVCI; Release date: 2011-02-01; DVD
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops:
99 River Street (MGM Limited Edition Collection)Release date: 2011-01-28; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Kansas City Confidential (MGM Film Noir)Sony; Release date: 2007-07-10; DVD
Best price: $0.99
Price in other shops: