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

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 as a college graduate turned gangster’s unhappy moll. 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 and John Ireland.

The notable noir cinematography is by Franz Planer.

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

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,203

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