711 Ocean Drive *** (1950, Edmond O’Brien, Joanne Dru, Otto Kruger) – Classic Movie Review 12,203

Columbia Pictures‘ 1950 black and white crime noir film 711 Ocean Drive stars Edmond O’Brien as an ingenious racketeer who outwits a bookie syndicate boss (Otto Kruger)

711 Ocean Drive (1950, Otto Kruger).

Director Joseph M Newman’s 1950 Columbia Pictures black and white crime noir film 711 Ocean Drive stars Edmond O’Brien, Joanne Dru and Otto Kruger.

Edmond O’Brien stars as ingenious racketeer Mal Granger, who memorably outwits bookie syndicate boss Carl Stephans (Otto Kruger), in Newman’s resilient, energised, realistic crime thriller.

711 Ocean Drive is notable for its forceful performances, vital direction and the script’s applaudable attention to detail. The tense third-act finale, as the killers chase a perilously perched O’Brien, tops a series of fine, evocative outdoor scenes.

Ex-model and show girl Joanne Dru is useful as the love interest Gail Mason, a college graduate turned gangster’s unhappy moll. The finale, as Granger and Gail flee to Boulder Dam, is quite spectacular.

The notable black and white noir cinematography is by Franz Planer, the screenplay is by Richard English and Francis Swann, the score is by Sol Kaplan, and the film is produced by Frank N Seltzer.

Also in the cast are Don Porter, Sammy White, Dorothy Patrick, Barry Kelley, Bert Freed, Howard St John, Robert Osterloh, and Charles Jordan.

It runs 102 minutes.

Release date: July 1, 1950 (US).

It was a hit, earning $1,550,000 against a budget of $300,000.

Joseph M Newman recalled: ‘It was a tremendously successful picture that got good reviews and the studios all liked it. After that picture I was in great demand.’

Joanne Dru (January 31, 1922 – September 10, 1996)

Joanne Dru (born Joan Letitia LaCock) was a staunch Republican, supporting Barry Goldwater in the 1964 US presidential election and appearing at a 1968 GOP cocktail party fundraiser for Richard Nixon. She was married to Dick Haymes (1941 to 1949) and John Ireland (1949 to 1957).

Her best films are Red River, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, All the King’s Men, and Wagon Master. John Ireland starred with her in Red River and All the King’s Men.

The cast

The cast are Edmond O’Brien as Mal Granger, Joanne Dru as Gail Mason, Otto Kruger as Carl Stephans, Barry Kelley as Vince Walters, Dorothy Patrick as Trudy Maxwell, Don Porter as Larry Mason, Howard St John as Lieutenant Pete Wright, Robert Osterloh as Gizzi, Sammy White as Chippie Evans, Cleo Moore as Mal’s date, Bert Freed, and Charles Jordan.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,203

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