SYNOPSIS: 'Beat the Devil' (1953) is a satirical adventure film directed by John Huston, known for its witty dialogue and unconventional storytelling. The plot follows a group of international adventurers, led by the suave Billy Dannreuther (played by Humphrey Bogart), who find themselves stranded in a small Italian port town. They plot to take control of a uranium-rich patch of land in East Africa but soon find themselves embroiled in a series of comic misadventures and double-crosses. Alongside Billy is his wife Maria (played by Gina Lollobrigida), who becomes entangled in the schemes of her husband and his associates. As the story unfolds, alliances shift, secrets are revealed, and the true motivations of each character come to light. Filled with witty banter and unexpected twists, 'Beat the Devil' is a classic example of a genre-bending film that blends elements of comedy, adventure, and satire to create a uniquely entertaining experience for its audience.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: "Beat the Devil" (1953) follows the story of Billy Dannreuther (Humphrey Bogart), a once-wealthy American who has fallen on hard times. Billy and his wife Maria (Gina Lollobrigida) find themselves in Italy, entangled with a motley crew of dubious characters. They are all part of a scheme to acquire uranium-rich land in Africa, which promises enormous wealth.

The plot begins with Billy and his companions – Peterson (Robert Morley), Julius O'Hara (Peter Lorre), Major Jack Ross (Ivor Barnard), and Ravello (Marco Tulli) – waiting for their ship to Africa in a small Italian port town. They are joined by British couple Harry Chelm (Edward Underdown) and his wife Gwendolen (Jennifer Jones), who are also heading to Africa, though unaware of the criminal enterprise.

As they await their ship's departure, tensions and complications arise.

Gwendolen, a romantic fantasist, becomes infatuated with Billy, much to Harry's frustration. Meanwhile, Peterson and his gang grow increasingly paranoid, suspecting that Harry might be an undercover agent or a rival looking to steal their lucrative venture.

The group finally sets sail, but their journey is fraught with mishaps and intrigue. The ship breaks down, forcing them to stop in a small Arab port where their true natures and intentions start to unravel. Harry learns about the uranium scheme and confronts Billy, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and double-crosses.

Back on land, the group encounters various challenges, including an attempted murder, a brief stint in an Arab jail, and a desperate struggle to keep their plan intact. The situation becomes increasingly absurd, with alliances shifting and motives revealed in a farcical manner.

Throughout the escapade, Billy maintains a sardonic detachment, aware of the futility and irony of their quest.

His relationship with Gwendolen grows more complex as they share moments of honesty and deception. Maria, on the other hand, stays mostly in the background, occasionally manipulating events to her advantage.

The climax sees the group's plans falling apart spectacularly. The ship's captain, who had been bribed, betrays them, and the authorities close in on their scheme. In a twist of fate, Billy and Gwendolen's flirtation is exposed, causing a rift between her and Harry, but ultimately leading to an unexpected resolution.

In the end, the grandiose dreams of wealth dissolve into a series of comic failures. Billy and Maria, having survived the chaos, decide to return to a simpler life, leaving behind the madcap adventure and its dubious rewards. The film closes with a sense of resigned acceptance, as the characters reflect on their misadventures and the elusive nature of fortune.

PRODUCTION: "Beat the Devil" (1953) was directed by John Huston, who co-wrote the screenplay with Truman Capote. The film was produced by Santana Pictures Corporation, Humphrey Bogart's production company. The production of the film was marked by its improvisational approach, with Huston and Capote frequently rewriting scenes on the spot to enhance the dialogue and narrative flow. This creative process contributed to the film's unique blend of satire and adventure. The cast included several notable actors of the time, such as Humphrey Bogart, Gina Lollobrigida, Jennifer Jones, Peter Lorre, and Robert Morley, each bringing their distinct talents to create an eclectic and dynamic ensemble, enriching the film's appeal and entertainment value. Shot primarily in Italy, with Ravello on the Amalfi Coast providing a scenic backdrop, the production faced challenges but ultimately captured the rustic charm of its Mediterranean setting authentically.

RELEASE: "Beat the Devil" premiered on November 24, 1953, opened to mixed reviews and a modest reception at the box office. Despite the star power of its cast, including Humphrey Bogart, Gina Lollobrigida, Jennifer Jones, Peter Lorre, and Robert Morley, and the creative talents of director John Huston and writer Truman Capote, the film initially struggled to find a wide audience. Its unconventional blend of satire and adventure, coupled with the improvisational style of dialogue and narrative, may have contributed to its lukewarm reception among critics and audiences expecting a more conventional Hollywood fare. Huston and Capote's on-the-spot rewriting of scenes during production added to the film's offbeat charm but may have also led to its somewhat disjointed narrative. Despite these challenges, "Beat the Devil" has gained a cult following over the years, appreciated for its witty humor, quirky characters, and the chemistry among its ensemble cast. The film's reputation has been bolstered by retrospectives and critical re-evaluations, celebrating its innovative approach and the collaborative efforts that went into its making, making it a notable entry in the annals of classic cinema.

CAST:

• Humphrey Bogart as Billy Dannreuther

• Jennifer Jones as Gwendolen Chelm

• Gina Lollobrigida as Maria Dannreuther

• Robert Morley as Peterson

• Peter Lorre as Julius O'Hara

• Edward Underdown as Harry Chelm

• Ivor Barnard as Major Jack Ross

• Marco Tulli as Ravello

• Bernard Lee as Insp. Jack Clayton

• Mario Perrone as Purser on SS Nyanga

• Giulio Donnini as Administrator

• Saro Urzì as Captain of SS Nyanga

• Juan de Landa as Hispano-Suiza Driver

• Aldo Silvani as Charles, restaurant owner

CREW:

• Director: John Huston

• Producer: John Huston

• Writers: John Huston, Truman Capote (screenplay), Claud Cockburn (novel)

• Cinematographer: Oswald Morris

• Editor: Ralph Kemplen

• Music: Franco Mannino

• Art Director: Wilfred Shingleton

Production Company: Santana Pictures Corporation, Romulus Films
Distributor: United Artists (US), British Lion Films (UK)

Release Date: November 24, 1953 (UK), March 12, 1954 (US)
Country of Origin: United States, Great Britain, Italy
Running Time: 89 minutes
Budget: $1 million
Box Office Return: $1.1 million

IMDB Rating =  6.4 / 10

TRIVIA:

• The film is considered one of the first examples of a "camp" movie, appreciated for its self-aware humor and parody of adventure film tropes.

• Humphrey Bogart lost several teeth in a car accident during filming, resulting in noticeable changes to his speech in some scenes.

• Truman Capote wrote the screenplay on location in Italy, often making up scenes the night before shooting.

• "Beat the Devil" was initially a box office failure but later gained critical acclaim and a cult following for its offbeat humor and innovative storytelling.

• The film's improvisational style was unusual for the time, with Huston and Capote encouraging actors to ad-lib and experiment with their roles.

• Humphrey Bogart was involved in a serious automobile accident during production, which knocked out several of his teeth resulting in noticeable changes to his speech in some scenes. Peter Sellers reportedly provided Bogart's voice in some scenes during post-production looping.

• Stephen Sondheim began his career in films as a clapper boy on "Beat the Devil."

• This was the fifth and last film that Humphrey Bogart made with Peter Lorre.

• John Huston couldn't stifle his laughter at the sight of the bloody-mouthed Bogart after his accident, to which Bogart responded humorously.

• Humphrey Bogart described Truman Capote's writing style as uniquely humorous.

• Bogart praised Gina Lollobrigida's allure, comparing her favorably to Marilyn Monroe.

• Bogart reportedly disliked the film, potentially due to financial losses from its production.

• Truman Capote famously won arm-wrestling matches against Humphrey Bogart during filming.

• John Huston initially wanted Lauren Bacall for a role, but she was unavailable.

• The film is considered a parody of "The Maltese Falcon" type of films.

• John Huston persuaded Bogart to purchase the film rights and co-produce the film through Santana Pictures Corporation.

• Gina Lollobrigida endured a real injury during filming but remained in character for the scene.

• Two characters named "Chelm" in the film may be an inside joke referencing Yiddish folklore.

• Bernard Lee's character, Jack Clayton, shares a name with the film's associate producer.

• Truman Capote joined the production late in the scripting process, contributing to the film's unique style.

• Bogart and Capote faced language barriers with the predominantly Italian crew.

• "Beat the Devil" is included in Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

• Peter Lorre humorously referred to Bogart as his "little brother" despite Bogart being older.

• The film references "The Galloping Major," a nod to another film.

• Maria's painting scene involved a real injury but was completed without breaking character.

• The film is listed among "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," edited by Steven Schneider.

• The novel's comic tone was preserved in the film adaptation.

• The cast includes Oscar winners Humphrey Bogart and Jennifer Jones, and nominee Robert Morley.

• Included in the American Film Institute's list of the 500 funniest American movies.

• The British and American versions of the film differ slightly in their narrative structure and initial scenes.

"Beat the Devil" remains a distinctive entry in the adventure comedy genre, celebrated for its satirical edge and the collaborative efforts of its iconic cast and creative team.