On E List of Movie Reviews

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Each Dawn I Die (1939)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 10/08

10/08: Each Dawn I Die is a lovely title for a movie, but unfortunately, it makes for a below-average viewing.

I actually have never seen George Raft act before, so this is a first for me. He's good: charming and dapperly dressed with Rudolph Valentino's looks. Back then, George Raft developed a bad boy reputation by fraternizing with well-known mobsters and turned down leading roles in films such as The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, and Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart can thank him for that, but he's the better actor anyway.

Back to the film, the story is unique but unrealistic. At times, the pace drags. There are good moments rather than good scenes. The best part is how George Raft's character made his spontaneous escape from the courthouse room. Another is the nice, bittersweet ending when James Cagney looked at the picture of his co-star's character with an inserted line. As for James Cagney, he's...well James Cagney.

All in all, Each Dawn I Die is now rendered outdated by The Shawshank Redemption, but George Raft steals the show by making the best of it.

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