Humphrey Bogart was still a star when he made this film. He was famous for playing gangsters, much like his contemporary,James Cagney. Like Cagney, he decided to do a comedy.This movie is the result. His style, doesn’t translate as well to the screen. It is like taking his character of Roy Earle into a comedy. This film may have worked if the script were written by John Huston, who wrote. High Sierra
Bogart plays straight man to Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray. The three men play escaped convicts, Joseph, (Humphrey Bogart), Jules, (Peter Ustinov),and Albert,(Aldo Ray). The three have larceny in mind, when they come across a family,the Ducotels. They are running a shop on the island, for Andre Trochard, (Basil Rathbone).
Felix Ducotel,(Leo G.Carroll), and his wife, (Joan Bennett),run into the convicts, when they pose as roofers. Their goal is to check out the store, and steal everything of value. Joseph even goes to the extreme of making sales.This includes selling an ill fitting suit to a gullible customer. The crooks have every intention of robbing the store, until a ray of sunshine enters their disreputable lives. This is the beautiful and charming daughter, Isabelle Ducotel. She is played very well by Gloria Talbot. Isabelle is in love with Paul Trocard, (John Baer). Paul has written her a letter,stating he is engaged to another woman. Paul arrives later with his uncle, Andre,to look at the books.
Basil Rathbone, isn’t the star, but every story needs a good bad guy. Rathbone, before he played Sherlock Holmes, played villains. He was exceptional at this. His role as Andre Trochard,could make people forget Mr. Potter. He continually demeans his brother. When severe irregularities in the books are found, he is not surprised. Trochard makes the comment that his brother will soon be an inmate at the infamous prison. Paul Trochard is following in his uncle’s footsteps. Sadly, nephew Paul admires his uncle, and is possibly more contemptible. The convicts, who are nicer than the Trochard’s,now have the milk of human kindness in them. The Ducotel family does not treat them like criminals. They are given respect and hospitality. The former residents of the penal colony,are doing their best to fix everything. Their plans are accelerated by Albert’s escaped pet snake.
It was an interesting bit of casting to put Bogart, in a comedy with two actors, who were just getting their careers started in Hollywood. Peter Ustinov does manage to get a few good lines. He mentions that he spent time in Marseille,France. Ustinov’s character mentions that there was nothing but hardened criminals there. He said he had a wonderful time. Joseph says that they will cut the throats of the family after they wash the dishes. It is this type of absurd comedy that makes the film watchable. This is not only an attempt by Bogart to do comedy, but Michael Curtiz as well. He was a Hungarian immigrant, who directed countless films. They were mainly certain genres like action, westerns or dramas. His most famous film being Casablanca. Credit should be given to him for trying. Curtiz, will not be confused with Billy Wilder or Hal Roach. The film was adapted to the screen from a play, which doesn’t always translate to the screen. This dark comedy is interesting, because it takes place on Devils Island, between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Curtiz had directed the famous holiday film White Christmas. This movie would be an obscure reference, compared to the Bing Crosby vehicle. The many film fans who love Humphrey Bogart should check out his many roles in film noir. Bogart can then be appreciated, for his ground breaking roles.