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Humphrey Bogart’s star was on the rise when he appeared in this ensemble drama based on a popular Broadway play by Sidney Kingsley. Bogart plays a murderous gangster who returns to his riverside slum in New York City after undergoing plastic surgery to evade the police. But after being chided by his dear old mother (Marjorie Main) and learning his old girlfriend (Claire Trevor) has become a syphilitic whore, his dark impulses consume him. He plans to kidnap a wealthy family’s son for ransom.
Sharing equal screen time with Bogart are Joel McCrea and Sylvia Sidney. McCrea’s character is a childhood friend of Bogart’s. When he learns of the kidnapping plot, he steps into foil Bogart’s plans, creating a deadly schism between the two characters. Sidney plays McCrea’s love interest and the older sister of a teenaged boy (Billy Halop) whose habits are leading him down the same dark path Bogart is on. Rounding out the cast are several other teen boys in Halop’s ‘gang’, who interact with all the adult characters at different times throughout the story.
Deep End is a well-written morality play designed to underline the challenges and disadvantages of the lower class, and to encourage younger viewers to resist the allure of becoming lawless street thugs — a very real problem in 1930s New York. The characters are all engaging and well played, especially Bogart and Claire Trevor. Even though she only appears in one lengthy scene, Trevor earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role. The young cast members, known collectively as ‘The Dead End Kids’, bring vitality and realism to the film. These boys, who were reportedly very hard to control, were all part of the original Broadway production, flown to Hollywood to reprise their roles for film. They proved popular enough to star in several more films together, most notably Angels with Dirty Faces.
The third act may get a little too didactic and there’s a subplot between McCrea and another woman (Wendy Barrie) that feels extraneous, but Deep End is overall a surprisingly entertaining stage-to-film adaptation. In addition to its engaging story and performances, the film features Oscar-nominated production design and cinematography. The film takes place in one of the largest, most impressive indoor sets ever built, recreating the riverside neighborhood, complete with a water tank, dock, a restaurant, alleys, and several adjoining apartments. Lighting this massive set for day, night, and evocative film noir ambience is none other than the legendary Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane, The Grapes of Wrath).
Directed by William Wyler (Ben-Hur, The Best Years of Our Lives). With Allen Jenkins and Ward Bond. In addition to Billy Halop, the ‘Dead End Kids’ include Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Gabriel Dell, and Bernard Punsly.
Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Supporting Actress (Claire Trevor), Art Direction, Cinematography