MovieChat Forums > Key Largo (1948) Discussion > E.G.R. is center stage Bogart is passive...

E.G.R. is center stage Bogart is passive in the background.

posted 11 years ago by gullwing592003
5 replies | jump to latest

Edward G. Robinson always dominated any movie he's in regardless if he's playing the lead or a supporting role, such as Double Indemnity (1944) & Scarlet Street (1945). He even dominates Humphrey Bogart in every film they teamed up on from Bullets Or Ballots (1936), Kid Galahad (1937), The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938), Brother Orchid (1940) & Key Largo. By this time Bogart was a major star but still Eddie G. stole the show out from under Bogart.

Bogart & Bacall were also top billed with Eddie G. but were merely supporting players taking a back seat to Johnny Rocco. I'm amazed that Robinson was never nominated or won an oscar being such a great actor.

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

You're absolutely correct on all counts.

I have to admit before I saw it, I was expecting Bogey to take centre stage and dominate, but that's not the way things happen.

Betty Bacall is beautiful but bland and takes a very passive part in proceedings IMO.

[–] phillipsdan83 10 years ago

Bogart's playing the classic Rick character, trying to mind his own business until forced by circumstances and emotional ties to fight back. Robinson is virtually reprising Little Caesar. Naturally the more dynamic character will dominate.

[–] anthny_platt 9 years ago

Robinson is playing an attention whore and Bogart is playing a man of substance.

But in this movie, as in real life, not everyone rewards attention whores and not everyone ignores quiet people of substance and abiding conviction.

Nora didn't. Wise woman.

[–] PoliticallyIncorrectone 8 years ago

I'm amazed that Robinson was never nominated or won an oscar being such a great actor.
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Quite possibly the most shameful thing ever done by the Academy Awards.

[–] huwdj 8 years ago

I read somewhere that Robinson was very nervous about this film. The last time he'd appeared with Bogart he was very much top star on the Warner Bros. lot and now he was a fading star with money problems. Never the less, on the set he was treated with utmost courtesy by Bogart and the rest of the cast. If his role was the showier one it was because Bogart was content to let it play out that way. But to be honest I don't think I agree anyway. Robinson was good but imo Bogart's presence still dominated the film.