With the exception of Claire Trevor's deserving Oscar-winning performance for supporting actress, this really was Robinson's moment in the limelight.
His performance is the one that will stay with me the longest. Bogart and Becall were, for me, unremarkable.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
This is Bogie and Bacall's most underrated collaboration, but I think Edward G. Robinson gives the best performance of the film. The scene where Robinson slaps Bogart was riveting.
"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."
I have to say that any of the moments that Robinson held, and he held many of them, were positively gripping.
He was good in All My Sons too - though possibly miscast and maybe having to fight his own stereotype.
Bogart was more interesting than Bacall in this film, but Bogart was secondary to Robinson's powerful portrayal of Johnny Rocco.
Robinson was good. You know what they say a movie like this and a hero like Bogart are only as good as the villain. And they had a great one. All that aside, The Guy that played Curly was pretty good too. He made you feel uneasy as the movie started just as he did to Bogart. And then when the movie got underway you can tell that while Toots was the muscle, he was definitely more menacing. He was the one to watch out for in the gang.
shareAny movie he is in is Edward G Robinsoon's movie.
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I agree, and although this is no reflection on him as an actor, it surprised me to see Humphrey and Lauren feeding off scraps and left me disappointed. Given their sizzling chemistry in other collaborations, they just never came near it here, and if I watch a gangster movie with Bogart as the hero then I want to root for him and not spend most of my time with the villain!
I have to consider this as a waste of one of the greatest couples The Golden Age ever gave us.
"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage... "
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Can't disagree. For me, it is both Robinson and Trevor who steal the movie. They were outstanding. I was a little disappointed the chemistry between Bogie & Bacall was more subdued than their other pairings but I think this is their second best film behind The Big Sleep.
"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
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Edward G. Robinson blew 'em all off the screen in Key Largo. It's his best picture IMO. I wonder what he whispered in Lauren Bacall's ear that caused her to nearly scratch his eyes out.
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Edward G. Robinson dominated scenes for 40 years and Key Largo is no exception. For me at least, he carried this movie.
shareI'm not sure. Consider this...
Minus Bogart and Bacall from the movie. Would it still be the classic it is?
I don't think so. Robinson was great, but Bogart is a presence. He doesn't need a slew of lines to mesmerize. His laid-back portrayal was riveting. I agree with the other poster that says just beacause it's not another Bogart/Bacall focused movie, that they didn't play their parts extremely well.
I don't think Robinson alone made this film. I look at it as a great movie with a fine ensemble cast.
Edward G. Robinson had the best lines, that is clear, but Bogart is strong as ever, without a bunch of dialogue. The cast of character actors add to the film as well.
I think it was just a well-rounded film. I loved it.
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