Humphrey Bogart is undoubtedly one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time. In a period when studios still made vehicles for stars, he was the biggest ticket. Even when the star system began to crumble after World War II, Bogie’s reputation and star power still remained. He still remains a cultural icon to this day. Whilst he’s famous for films such as Casablanca, African Queen, The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon, Bogart made over 80 pictures. In a Lonely Place is one of his best.
Dixon Steel (Bogart) is a famous screenwriter who hasn’t had a success in years. After his agent (Art Smith) cajoles him into adapting a book for a movie, a tired Dix invites hat-check girl (Martha Stewart) back to his to talk him through the narrative. When she’s later found dead, he becomes the police’s prime suspect. That is until his new neighbour Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame). supplies an alibi.
Criterion’s entrance into the UK market is a huge boon for film fans, and as you’d expect, the new 2k transfer and accompanying package are impressive. In a Lonely Place sees Bogart at his most nuanced best. Nicholas Ray keeps his audience in suspense throughout as the did he/didn’t he question remains up in the air. Grahame may not have been the first choice for the role but her depiction of growing terror only adds to the air of mystery and danger.
Special Features:
- New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ra
- New audio commentary featuring film scholar Dana Polan
- I’m a Stranger Here Myself, a 1975 documentary about director Nicholas Ray, slightly condensed for this release
- New interview with biographer Vincent Curcio about actor Gloria Grahame
- Piece from 2002 featuring filmmaker Curtis Hanson
- Radio adaptation from 1948 of the original Dorothy B. Hughes novel, broadcast on the program Suspense
- Trailer
- An essay by critic Imogen Sara Smit
In a Lonely Place is released on Blu-ray by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on Monday.
