A BULLET FOR JOEY (1955)

Even the dependable Edward G. Robinson cannot keep this sleepy production awake for extended periods. His role is that of a Canadian Inspector. As usual, Robinson is genuine as he calmly, methodically tightens the net on criminals thanks to his undercover officers posted everywhere in Montreal. Sometimes I picked up the demeanor of the future inspector Columbo and his quips. Other times the role is closer to his tracking in, The Stranger. This film sinks into a balance of crime scenes, police lab work, and consultation with Robinson. As the music score plays underneath, we are witness to amazing images of enlarged fingerprints, a Teletype machine, the FBI and the Washington D.C. architecture.

George Raft garnered fame about twenty years before this film. His character's name is in the title. This movie is stifled by his wooden, one-dimensional characterization in a role that made him infamous. A gangster. Ex-con Raft calls everyone Buster or Joker. Words that roll off his tongue with experience. Audrey Totter is another memorable face but that may be because she appears in this film to be one-third Gloria Graham/Sylvia Sidney. She is Raft's former girl and is happy to be rid of him. With all his short-statured charm, he cannot believe it. Today, few could name the balance of the cast.

The film opens with an encounter between a Hurdy Gurdy man and his money monkey. For purposes of identifying him, Raft is later shown this exact footage but as a supposedly personally shot 8mm movie. It is obviously the same footage from the opening by United Artist's film crew. A weak moment in the editing room. Common to the era, it is a story of the Communist's main function. Spying and cheating. A brilliant nuclear scientist, George Dolenz, whose knowledge makes him a kidnapper's go-to man, is their target. Peter Van Eyck, smirking through the entire movie, offers Raft big money to get himself out of Spain to do the deed. Raft rounds up his old gang from around the globe, each with their own brief music theme befitting their geographic location. Against the plan, Totter is nonetheless pressured into befriending Dolenz to gain information.

While staking out a ship bound for Europe, Robinson is spotted and taken prisoner aboard the same ship. Raft is informed by Robinson whom he has kidnapped. Raft never asked. Robinson suggests that All-American Raft "do the right thing" by helping stop the plot. He ends up needing more than a raft to get back to dry land. God bless America. Totter and Dolenz get to continue their growing relationship and judging by the wearisome countenance on Robinson's face, he will probably retire.

Note: As with most posters, this one suggests two famous cinema gangsters at odds with each as the big draw for audiences. But Robinson was able to move on from his early signature role whereas Raft never strayed that far from his roots.