![]() ![]() The film needed to spend its time building up the relationship between Raft and Holden. ![]() Could they have used him more? Probably, but it wouldn’t have fit with the story. The part is small, so there are long droughts throughout the film where Bogart’s presence isn’t felt, but when he’s onscreen, he pops. Right up until his final scene, we have to appreciate and respect Martin’s attempts to help George Raft’s Cliff pull himself up by his bootstraps – even if it’s not by legal means. Playing ex-con Chuck Martin, this might be one of the most likable thugs that Bogart ever got to play. Make no mistake, Raft and Robson create an incredibly dynamic mother-son relationship here, and it’s easy to understand the love they have for one another. Raft’s final line to his mother is so subtly done that I almost missed it, even though it’s an incredibly heart wrenching moment. All that aside though, the film is entirely watchable and keeps the drama and action chugging along at a pace that held my interest even on a second viewing.ĭirector Lloyd Bacon did so many good films with Bogart that he’ll eventually need to go into ‘The Usual Suspects.’ He handles this film well, especially in the quieter, character building moments of love and loss with Raft’s family. Bogart does his absolute best with the role that he’s given, but he’s underused, and a young William Holden still seems a little green as it’s only his fourth film. The story of an ex-con trying to go straight had been done so many times before this that it must have felt like old cliché. I can see why this movie might not have gotten the most glowing reviews. The cast of George Raft, William Holden, Jane Bryan, Bogart, and Flora Robson is one of the best ensembles I’ve seen in a while, and all the character relationships really crackled – especially Raft and Robson who give us most of the heart in this film. This was my second viewing of Invisible Stripes, and I have to say that I liked it much better this time. If you are a fan of old Warners crime pictures you will have a good time with "Invisible Stripes.A recently released convict (George Raft) does his best to go straight after prison, but his conscience gives way to the need to support his family. Despite turning down nearly every role that made Bogart a star, Raft's brief career at Warners represents his best work. ![]() This is the kind of role Raft wanted to play: the tough guy who is good to his Ma, loyal to his friends, and possessing a strict code of ethics. I have always liked him and find this performance relatively solid he is acted off the screen by Bogart in their scenes together and his one shot at emoting over his plight as an ex-con is comical but in the overall he is very likable. He has gained a reputation as a mercilessly wooden performer and some of it is deserved. And finally I come to the star, George Raft. Cast as his moll is Lee Patrick the two would combine again in a couple of years as Sam Spade & Effie Perrine in "The Maltese Falcon." Another interesting footnote in the film is the brief appearance of Leo Gorcey as a department store clerk. While he is continuing his cycle of bad-guy supporting roles his character is not without some redeeming features. ![]() Bogey is his typical brilliant self and easily walks off with the picture. The great British actress Flora Robson plays their mother in a colossal bit of miscasting but since her role is minimal she retains her dignity (although some of the lovey-dovey exchanges with her movie son Raft are borderline incestuous). Watching him in this it is amazing he made many more he is pretty whiny and forgettable as the hotheaded sibling. First, Raft's younger brother is played by 21 year old William Holden in his second film. There are so many interesting angles to this picture for true film buffs. Here they play two cons: Raft planning to go straight and provide for his Mom and kid brother while Bogey returns to his criminal ways. Any crime picture that has George Raft and Humphrey Bogart is going to be worth a look. "Invisible Stripes" is by no means a great film but I enjoy the heck out of it. ![]()
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