Went to see Deadline USA with Sarah, who many of you have seen working on the quizzo documentary. Deadline USA is an old Humphrey Bogart film that for some reason never made it to video or DVD. Here were her thoughts: A rarely seen but superb film showcasing the drive and passion of dedicated journalists getting the news to the people, Deadline USA focuses on a hard-nosed editor, Ed Hutcheson (Bogart) who races against several clocks as he attempts to save The Day. He is trying to save his paper that will go under with its imminent sale, woo back his ex-wife and bring a murderous mobster to justice.
Mrs. Garrison (Ethel Barrymore), the widow of the founder of The Day, along with her two spoiled, whiny daughters that make Paris and Nicky seem tolerable, are in negotiations to sell the paper. Hutcheson sallies forth business as usual until the press stops running in just a few short days. He sends a reporter out to follow up on a lead involving the mobster only to find the reporter badly beaten – fueling his desire to send the paper and the mobster out with a bang. In the midst of the court battles over the future of the paper and chasing leads on the mobster, Hutcheson makes time to woo back his wife Nora (Kim Hunter) who is engaged to another man. Bogart, of course, handles it all with aplomb; convincing Mrs. Garrison to fight against her daughters for the paper, interrogating a witness of the murder, and romancing his ex. All in a days work for this unflappable editor. But that’s not all–
In between court cases and romantic dinners, Hutcheson stops one of the lamest fights ever on screen between a couple of his journalists; mentors a young, impressionable, wannabe journalist: “About this wanting to be a reporter, don’t ever change your mind. It may not be the oldest profession, but it’s the best;” and gives and receives a verbal pummeling with the ex’s new beau (fellas, if you’re looking to steal another man’s dame or keep yours from being taken – watch and learn).
Despite Bogart’s stellar turn, there are a few melodramatic scenes that bring things down…especially the wake scene held by the journalists for the paper. The score becomes unbearably hymnal and the dialogue ridiculous. There’s also the completely random and creepy scene where Hutcheson – in a supposed romantic gesture – gives his ex a doll that winks when it’s arm is raised. I don’t know what that was about but, guys – dolls are creepy, period. Don’t go there.
Melodrama and creepy dolls aside, Deadline USA is a pretty impressive film about old school journalism that still resonates today.
JGT’s take: Yeah, this was a pretty fun film that was supposed to be about journalism but is really all about Humphrey Bogart being cool under fire. The innuendo between Hunter and Bogart was pretty hot and for the time, extremely risque. There were a few silly and unnecessary melodramatic touches, but the story and the camerawork were both impressive. And the final line was vintage Bogey: “That’s the press, baby. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” All in all, a good, but not great, movie.