Key Largo: Style and Substance

[Hemingway Jones]

One of my favorite films is "Key Largo." I like the entire style of the film, from the clothes, to the directing, to the sets.

I have spent quite a bit of time in The Florida Keys, so this film always reminds me of the feeling of lands' end one gets while there, but more so in those days when it was truly remote.

One of the things I like about the film, and many classic films in general, is that it feels like a play. Indeed, it was inspired by a play. The majority of the film is set in a hotel. Few modern films take this approach, though "Reservoir Dogs" springs to mind.

The best part of this film, for me, is Edward G. Robinson. He is at his bulldog best in this film, barking out his lines with a sardonic sneer. He is so good, in fact, that Bogart looks tame by comparison; Bogart knew how to play it cool and allow a good actor to make you look better. The sad thing is that is was very rare to see two great actors of Robinson's and Bogart's stature in a film together.

Here are some pictures of the clothes.

Here is a fellow who is prepared for anything; braces and a belt! I also like how much his Panama Fedora looks like mine, or rather how much mine looks like his:





A vintage Guayabera:


A very interesting long single-breasted jacket with peaked lapels:


The primordial "Tony Soprano:"


Quite the bold trench coat:


Does anyone else share my passion for this film? -Any insights or criticisms?

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Those are great film grabs. Thanks for sharing them. Wasn't there a lady in this film??

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Those are great film grabs. Thanks for sharing them. Wasn't there a lady in this film??

Ah, yes... Lauren Bacall and she looked great.

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

Does anyone else share my passion for this film?

Yes! Love this as well as all the other Bogey & Bacalls, but this one is special, for good ol' Rico. And those are stunning quality images; this might be awfully tempting for me to start replacing VHS'es with DVDs .

Thanks for posing, Hemingway!


Swing High,
- C H

 

[scotrace]

Fantastic and well done. This is also a favorite film of mine, for all the reasons you mentioned. I think Robinson is at a career peak in the scene where he is being shaved.

Note that the nulti-shaded tulip lamp you see in those screen grabs would bring a tidy pile of money today (and would match my house!)

 

[Feraud]

Fine screencaps from a great movie! Thank you for posting them.
This picture of the guy with the suspenders and belt could start a trend....

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Thanks for adding the picture of Lauren Becall. She does look stunning in this film, but doesn't have much of a wardrobe. Her hair however, looks incredible. Thanks again for adding a lady

 

[jazzzbaby]

It's an all around classic & pure Bogart! Claire Trevor is also in Key Largo. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in this film. I collect autographs, and I have hers....it's one of my faves.

I adore Bogart. He is in so many fantastic flicks. I love Dark Passage,
Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Marked Woman....etc...I know it's a good
film if he is in it.

 

[Tomasso]

Great Flick!

When I first saw Key Largo, Edward G's western belt struck me as an odd choice for a gangster. Just a thought.








Here are some photos from the set of Key Largo.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040506/

 

[Hemingway Jones]

It's an all around a classic & pure Bogart! Claire Trevor is also in Key Largo. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in this film. I collect autographs, and I have hers....it's one of my faves.

I adore Bogart. He is in so many fantastic flicks. I love Dark Passage,
Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Marked Woman....etc...I know it's a good
film if he is in it.

I agree. I don't think Bogart made a bad flim. I'm not sure he could!

I haven't seen some of his earlier work. I would like to see "The Roaring Twenties" for its ensemble cast.

Yes! Love this as well as all the other Bogey & Bacalls, but this one is special, for good ol' Rico.
- C H

Rico, Man I love Edward G.! He makes the movie for me. I also love his belly-warmers and sharpe Panama at the end.

I think Robinson is at a career peak in the scene where he is being shaved.

Note that the nulti-shaded tulip lamp you see in those screen grabs would bring a tidy pile of money today (and would match my house!)

I'll be on the lookout for that lamp for you.

Fine screencaps from a great movie! Thank you for posting them.
This picture of the guy with the suspenders and belt could start a trend....

This could be a good look for The Queen Mary. This fellow has very nice Spectators on as well.

The clothes are very interesting from the period short wide ties, to the wide-brimmed Panamas, to the cufflinks on Mr. Robinson's shirt, and to the high-waisted pants.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Tomasso,
Those production photos are great. Thansk for the link,
And Rico's belt looks like something out of the Orvis catalogue.

BTW, the gentleman in the Guayabera, wasn't he on the 1960s "Batman" show?

 

[Tomasso]

King Tut?

BTW, the gentleman in the Guayabera, wasn't he on the 1960s "Batman" show?

Though he does resemble Victor Buono, that's Dan Seymour a character actor who often played heavies in the movies.

Incidentally, The gentleman on the left(in the Panama) is Harry Lewis, the founder of the Hamburger Hamlet restaurant chain.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Harry Lewis' tie looks longer, it seems to be tucked into his pants. I wonder when the trend to longer ties started?

I love this movie. I don't know if I'm a bigger Bogart fan or a bigger Edward G. Robinson fan. I could listen to Robinson's voice for hours.

Hemingway, you haven't seen "The Roaring Twenties"? It's on DVD, you will love it!

 

[Feraud]

Harry Lewis' tie looks longer, it seems to be tucked into his pants. I wonder when the trend to longer ties started?

Good observation. We must also take into account how the wearer ties it. The back can be very short. I cannot see it in the picture.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

He has so much stuff going on: ultra-high pants, belt, braces, tie tucked in, dashing Panama, monogram on the shirt, long jacket with peaked lapels, and Spectators. He could give Cab Calloway competition for most flamboyantly dressed.

 

[Feraud]

He has so much stuff going on: ultra-high pants, belt, braces, tie tucked in, dashing Panama, monogram on the shirt, long jacket with peaked lapels, and Spectators. He could give Cab Calloway competition for most flamboyantly dressed.

lol lol You are so right. It is like he is wearing everything he possible can. I have no doubt he is also carrying a notebook, fountain pen, keys, cigar cutter, spare cufflinks, kitchen sink....

 

[Hemingway Jones]

lol lol You are so right. It is like he is wearing everything he possible can. I have no doubt he is also carrying a notebook, fountain pen, keys, cigar cutter, spare cufflinks, kitchen sink....

I expect to see you dressed like this at The Queen Mary. ...Hmmm (Hint, Hint)

 

[Rosie]

He has so much stuff going on: ultra-high pants, belt, braces, tie tucked in, dashing Panama, monogram on the shirt, long jacket with peaked lapels, and Spectators. He could give Cab Calloway competition for most flamboyantly dressed.

My mom and I just watched this the other night and we were talking about that guy and his outfit. My mom said he look over accessorized. lol But man, those spectators were killer, I told my mom I have to get a pair. (the ladies' version of course)

 

[Andykev]

Dress belt

When I first saw Key Largo, Edward G's western belt struck me as an odd choice for a gangster. Just a thought.








Here are some photos from the set of Key Largo.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040506/

That is not a "western belt". It is a classic dress belt, with silver tip end. You can get them today.

like here: http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/catalog_listing.aspx?CNAME=Accessories&SNAME=Belts&PAGE=6
or here:http://www.beltmaster.com/proddetails.asp?id=T5349-2&gid=3&catid=6

And here is the best link: http://www.belts.com/casualbelts1.html

 

[Feraud]

I expect to see you dressed like this at The Queen Mary. ...Hmmm (Hint, Hint)

It is very possible my friend, very possible....