4 Classic Movies Directed by Edward Dmytryk
Originally from British Columbia, Edward Dmytryk began his Hollywood career as an editor on pictures like Ruggles of the Red Gap (1935) and Love Affair (1939), and made his directing debut with on the Western The Hawk (1935). Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Dmytryk helmed a wide range of films, but specialized in film noir.
In 1947, Dmytryk was blacklisted after he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). But in 1951, he reversed his fortunes by finally testifying before Congress and went on to make some of his career's best films. Here are four classic movies directed by Edward Dmytryk.
One of several crime movies featuring Raymond Chandler's world-weary private eye, Philip Marlow, Murder, My Sweet was one of the few to capture the author's sharp and witty style. The film starred former crooner Dick Powell as Marlow, who's hired by the psychotic Moose Malloy (Mike Mazurki) to find his old girlfriend, leading him into a deep pit of deceit. Filled with fascinating villains and not-so-good heroes, Murder, My Sweet was directed with a deft hand by Dmytryk, who infused the film with a deeply cynical undertone that aptly captured the essence of Raymond Chandler. The film marked the last screen role by supporting actress, Anne Shirley, who retired from acting at 26.
Arguably one of the best film noirs ever made, Crossfire put an unforgiving spotlight on anti-Semitism and became the first B-movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture. The film starred Robert Young as Captain Finlay, a police detective whose investigation into the brutal murder of a Jewish man (Sam Levene) leads him to a group of demobilized soldiers. Meanwhile, Sgt. Peter Keeley (Robert Mitchum) takes it upon himself to investigate in order to clear his friend (George Cooper) from the list of suspects. As both Finlay and Keeley piece the events together, they discover a dark and sinister motive for the killing. Widely hailed by critics, Crossfire was a high water mark for Dmytryk, though he would be blacklisted the same year.
Tapped by producer Stanley Kramer, Dmytryk emerged from his career isolation to direct Humphrey Bogart in this adaptation of Herman Wouk's novel. Bogart starred as Lt. Cmdr. Philip Francis Queeg, a no-nonsense Navy veteran who attempts to instill discipline into the crew of the minesweeper USS Caine. Plagued by insecurities and a career of difficulties, Queeq displays a mighty temper that leads to causing a mistake despite his experience. Queeq's mental state leads his first officer (Van Johnson) to assume command, only to find himself charged with mutiny. A powerful return to the fore for Dmytryk, The Caine Mutinty earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
In remaking of House of Strangers (1949), Dmytryk shot this sweeping Western in color using CinemaScope to tell the tale of a ranch owner (Spencer Tracy) trying to raise his sons in his own image. Tracy starred as Matt Devereaux, a hard-driving father who tries to instill his boys with a hard-working spirit, only to neglect them the affection they crave. When he discovers a local copper mine polluting a stream where his cattle drink, Matt leads a raid that eventually causes his son Joe (Robert Wagner) to take the fall, but only with tragic consequences. A sharply realized film with Shakespearean undertones, Broken Lance continued Dmytryk's comeback streak that stretched well into the next decade.
In 1947, Dmytryk was blacklisted after he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). But in 1951, he reversed his fortunes by finally testifying before Congress and went on to make some of his career's best films. Here are four classic movies directed by Edward Dmytryk.
1. 'Murder, My Sweet' – 1944
One of several crime movies featuring Raymond Chandler's world-weary private eye, Philip Marlow, Murder, My Sweet was one of the few to capture the author's sharp and witty style. The film starred former crooner Dick Powell as Marlow, who's hired by the psychotic Moose Malloy (Mike Mazurki) to find his old girlfriend, leading him into a deep pit of deceit. Filled with fascinating villains and not-so-good heroes, Murder, My Sweet was directed with a deft hand by Dmytryk, who infused the film with a deeply cynical undertone that aptly captured the essence of Raymond Chandler. The film marked the last screen role by supporting actress, Anne Shirley, who retired from acting at 26.
2. 'Crossfire' – 1947
Arguably one of the best film noirs ever made, Crossfire put an unforgiving spotlight on anti-Semitism and became the first B-movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture. The film starred Robert Young as Captain Finlay, a police detective whose investigation into the brutal murder of a Jewish man (Sam Levene) leads him to a group of demobilized soldiers. Meanwhile, Sgt. Peter Keeley (Robert Mitchum) takes it upon himself to investigate in order to clear his friend (George Cooper) from the list of suspects. As both Finlay and Keeley piece the events together, they discover a dark and sinister motive for the killing. Widely hailed by critics, Crossfire was a high water mark for Dmytryk, though he would be blacklisted the same year.
3. 'The Caine Mutiny' – 1954
Tapped by producer Stanley Kramer, Dmytryk emerged from his career isolation to direct Humphrey Bogart in this adaptation of Herman Wouk's novel. Bogart starred as Lt. Cmdr. Philip Francis Queeg, a no-nonsense Navy veteran who attempts to instill discipline into the crew of the minesweeper USS Caine. Plagued by insecurities and a career of difficulties, Queeq displays a mighty temper that leads to causing a mistake despite his experience. Queeq's mental state leads his first officer (Van Johnson) to assume command, only to find himself charged with mutiny. A powerful return to the fore for Dmytryk, The Caine Mutinty earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
4. 'Broken Lance' – 1954
In remaking of House of Strangers (1949), Dmytryk shot this sweeping Western in color using CinemaScope to tell the tale of a ranch owner (Spencer Tracy) trying to raise his sons in his own image. Tracy starred as Matt Devereaux, a hard-driving father who tries to instill his boys with a hard-working spirit, only to neglect them the affection they crave. When he discovers a local copper mine polluting a stream where his cattle drink, Matt leads a raid that eventually causes his son Joe (Robert Wagner) to take the fall, but only with tragic consequences. A sharply realized film with Shakespearean undertones, Broken Lance continued Dmytryk's comeback streak that stretched well into the next decade.
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