Conflict

Humphrey Bogart Director: Curtis Bernhardt Curtis Bernhardt

Overview

Filmed some 18 months before its release, Conflict is one of two melodramas in which Humphrey Bogart self-consciously portrayed a wife murderer (the other was The Two Mrs. Carrolls). Bogie plays unhappily married Richard Mason, who concocts a meticulous scheme to kill his shrewish wife, Kathryn (Rose Hobart), so that he'll be free to marry her sister, Evelyn (Alexis Smith). Alas, Mason inadvertently tips his hand to family friend Dr. Mark Hamilton (Sydney Greenstreet).

Product Details

Release Date:	02/23/2012
UPC:	0883316278451
Original Release:	1945
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Region Code:	0
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	17,050

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Humphrey Bogart	Richard Mason
Alexis Smith	Evelyn Turner
Sydney Greenstreet	Dr. Mark Hamilton
Rose Hobart	Katherine Mason
Charles Drake	Prof. Norman Holdsworth
Grant Mitchell	Dr. Grant
Pat O'Moore	Detective Lt. Egan
Ann Shoemaker	Nora Grant
Frank Wilcox	Robert Freston
Mary Servoss	Mrs. Allman
Edwin Stanley	Phillips
James Flavin	Detective Lt. Workman
Doria Caron	Nurse
Ray Hanson	Cab Driver
Billy Wayne	Cab Driver
Ralph Dunn	Highway Patrolman
John Harmon	Hobo
Bruce Bilson	Bellboy
Marjorie Hoshelle	Telephone Operator
Frances Morris	Receptionist
George Carleton	Harris
Oliver Blake	Pawnbroker
Harlan Briggs	Pawnbroker
Wallis Clark	Prof. Berens
Jack Mower	Desk Clerk
Emmett Vogan	Luggage Salesman

Technical Credits

Arthur Horman

Dwight Taylor

Curtis Bernhardt	Director
Milo Anderson	Costumes/Costume Designer
Roy Davidson	Special Effects
Leo F. Forbstein	Musical Direction/Supervision
Merritt B. Gerstad	Cinematographer
Frederick Hollander	Score Composer
Arthur Horman	Screenwriter
William Jacobs	Producer
H.F. Koenekamp	Special Effects
Alfred Neumann	Original Story
Orry-Kelly	Costumes/Costume Designer
Robert Siodmak	Original Story
Ted Smith	Art Director
Clarence I. Steensen	Set Decoration/Design
Dwight Taylor	Screenwriter
David Weisbart	Editor
Perc Westmore	Makeup

Editorial Reviews

Conflict should have been a classic noir-ish thriller, rather than the rather routine one it ended up. It certainly has the right cast and director, and the basic premise is one that could have made for an exceptional film. Unfortunately, the elements just didn't come together in the manner necessary to lift Conflict above the average. The blame rests mostly with director Curtis Bernhardt and his trio of writers. All of them seem to have had a vision of where the film should go and what it should be like, but they couldn't find the right path to achieving that vision; as a result, we're left with a film that is all bones, but lacking in flesh. Bernhardt, often a very good director, also seems to have checked his imagination at the door here; his work is solid and gets the job done, but for the most part lacks the flair that this kind of project needs. (Even the title is perfunctory and colorless.) Fortunately, Conflict has Humphrey Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet, who turn in typically dependable performances. In a nice switch, the actors' usual roles are reversed, with Bogart the villain and Greenstreet the metaphoric detective. This makes both portrayals a bit more complex than they would otherwise be, with Bogart garnering audience sympathy and Greenstreet's cunning having a slightly wicked edge to it. Both are good in Conflict, but Greenstreet is especially enjoyable. The rest of the cast is fine, although Alexis Smith doesn't make the impression she should, perhaps because her character is ill-defined. Because it could have been so much better, Conflict is a bit frustrating, but still worth seeing.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler