The Killers (1946)

Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and an investigator uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly woman.

Film noir classic with extraordinary b/w photography and excellent performances, Ava Gardner, however, is not quite convincing as femme fatale; the plot is more an imagination about Ernest Hemingways story than an adaptation.

On renewed viewing: Hemingway's famous short story is merely the trigger for an intriguing, complex Noir crime story, arguably one of genre's best; both Lancaster as the 'innocent' cuckold and Gardner as the inscrutable femme fatale set standards with their performances.

Halliwell***: "Elaborate tale of cross and double-cross, stunningly executed."

Maltin****: "Compelling crime drama...Film provides fireworks, early success of Lancaster (in film debut) and Gardner."

The Breaking Point (1950)

An otherwise moral captain of a charter boat becomes financially strapped and is drawn into illegal activities in order to keep up payments on his boat.

A more adequate and more serious adaptation of Hemingway's To Have and Have Not than John Huston's attempt, but less entertaining; excellent cast and good details.

Halliwell*: "Adequate if slightly humdrum attempt by Warner to atone for what they had done to a Hemingway novel, the infidelity of To Have and Have Not and the unauthorized variation of Key Largo."

Maltin***1/2: "High-voltage refilming of Hemingway's TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT...Garfield and Juano Hernandez give superb interpretations."

To Have and Have Not (1944)

During WWII an American expatriate helps transport a Free French Resistance leader and his beautiful wife to Martinique while romancing a sexy lounge singer.

A pulp adaptation of an Ernest Hemingway novel (script co-written by William Faulkner!) has achieved iconic status by superb direction, ironic narration, atmospheric cinematography, and the first-time-on.screen chemistry between Bacall and Bogart.

Halliwell**: "Fairly routinely made studio adventure notable for first pairing of Bogart and Bacall, as an imitation of Casablanca, and for its consistent though not outstanding entertainment value."

Maltin***1/2: "Hemingway's "worst novel" forms the basis for Hawk's version of CASABLANCA...Their [Bacall and Bogart's] legendary love scenes make the movie, but there are also solid performances, and a couple of songs."