Borderline
Starring
Fred MacMurray ■ Claire Trevor
(1950)
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Pete Ritchie runs a narcotics smuggling operation to the USA from Mexico, which the Los Angeles Police Department and the US federal government have unsuccessfully tried to stop. Because of Ritchie's careful operating procedures, US authorities haven't even been able to find out the identities of his sources or customers and are desperate for a breakthrough. As a last resort, Madeleine Haley, an LAPD officer and former OSS operative, is sent undercover to Mexico to charm her way into Ritchie's confidence.
Once there, Haley manages to establish contact with Ritchie's gang, but is kidnapped by Johnny Macklin, a hoodlum working for a rival of Ritchie's and who also steals a load of Ritchie's narcotics. Haley plays along and joins Macklin on a smuggling trip for the stolen narcotics, with Ritchie in hot pursuit.
Yep, I have another Film Noir title for this week's Monday Movie, but this one is a bit on the lighter side. There are still plenty of spine-tingling moments but there are also some humorous spots, albeit some of it is dark humor. OK, OK, it really IS funny when they ditch the cop for a moment and trade the dead body in the backseat for a hapless drunk sitting on the side of the street.
I decided to watch this movie when wandering around on Youtube because of both Fred MacMurray and Claire Trevor. I've seen him in a number of movies, from The Egg And I, to The Absentminded Professor, to Father Was A Fullback, and I really liked his slow talking, kind of easy-going characters. And Claire Trevor? Well, I've only seen her play floozies like Gaye Dawn and Dallas. It was so nice to see her in such a different role and she pulled it off perfectly. Such a talented actress! I actually watched started this movie when I was bored one afternoon, it didn't take long for my dad to overhear and he sat down to watch it too. We both liked it, so, of course, I put it on again another day so my brother and mom would get a chance to watch it. The subject matter is a bit dark, like all good Film Noir is, but it is relatively bloodless and shouldn't really scare the kiddos, but I wouldn't recommend it for the littlest kids. Some innuendo but it's all pretty mild. This is a great black/white and well worth the hour-and-a-half spent watching it. 
88 Minutes
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Principal Cast
Fred MacMurray...Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin Claire Trevor...Madeleine Haley Raymond Burr...Pete Ritchie José Torvay...Miguel (as Jose Torvay) Morris Ankrum...Bill Whittaker Roy Roberts...Harvey Gumbin Don Diamond...Deusik Nacho Galindo...Porfirio Pepe Hern...Pablo Grazia Narciso...Porfirio's Wife
Filming Location(s)
Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
Quotes
Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin: I got more names than a phone book.
Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin: I can also keep my mouth shut in two languages. Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin: Don't talk to any strangers. Madeleine Haley, aka Gladys LaRue: I don't know any strangers [Johnny and Madeleine's car is pursued by Ritchie and his thugs] Madeleine Haley, aka Gladys LaRue: Can't you go faster? Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin: Maybe if I got out and pushed. Madeleine Haley, aka Gladys LaRue: I'm quitting, Mr. Whittaker. Whittaker: Quitting, nonsense. You've shown yourself admirably equipped for this assignment. Isn't that right, McEvoy? Johnny McEvoy, aka Johnny Macklin: She has excellent equipment. And doesn't hesitate to use it. |
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Amazon Instant Streaming Video
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Thanks to IMDB.com for most of the info for this movie.
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