MovieChat Forums > Beat the Devil (1953) Discussion > Didn't think this was great, but it was ...

Didn't think this was great, but it was kind of fun...

posted 16 years ago by bruce-129
7 replies | jump to latest

This would be nothing without the names in it.
Huston, Bogie, Morely, etc ...
It is fun to watch, but that is why.
It would be forgetable if it was not for those people.

[–] heyuactor 8 years ago

True. I guess they were going for a wacky satire, which it was, but if failed.

"Did you make coffee? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] Rheli 7 years ago

I think actually they were trying to combine genres to create something that had never been done before. A noble attempt! Perhaps too far ahead of their time.

As a rule when you mix genres in a movie you're in trouble. --William Goldman

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

I agree that it has a terrific cast. But I would say that it was only Humphrey Bogart and Robert Morley who are really right for this movie.

I wonder if it would have worked better if some of the other members of the cast were actors who were more used to playing in comedy. I say this because I thought that some of the humour fell flat.

[–] ppllkk 7 years ago

To all of you —Beat the Devil does not fall into any neat category, and as a result, it is difficult to know how to take it.My experience was that it got much better on repeated viewings as I somehow got in touch with what they were doing and took it in the spirit in which it was intended.Having seen it several times, it is perhaps the funniest movie I have ever seen. That was not my first reaction.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

nah

[–] YvonneTVQueen (99) 5 years ago

It was very fun seeing Jennifer Jones do comedy, in point of fact.

[–] NotoriousRio (12927) 4 years ago

Agree, Jennifer Jones was good in this too, without knowing I'd of thought she was an English actress, and Gina Lollobrigida is always good to look at!