Finding a print of Black Tuesday is still quite impossible. And it's a long time mystery : written by Sidney Boehm (The Big Heat and a dozen films noirs), directed by Hugo Fregonese (The Raid, Apache Drums and the unknown Six Convicts), photographed by Stanley Cortez (Night Of The Hunter and so many more) and with EG Robinson as Vincent Canelli, a fast violent happy trigger killer, getting real mad all around his escape. This dream team of film noir have shot a truly desirable one. And yet, I feel slightly disappointed. Certainly not by Stanley Cortez photography, the master still being inventive with lights and shots. Certainly not by EG Robinson, his character is one of his best in his career and he is strongly supported by Peter Graves (his friend then his victim) and Jean Parker as his girlfriend. I think Sidney Boehm's script is not enough worked, lacking nervous speed and more complexity, especially in the first two parts : the escape from jail and the hold-up bank. The third and last part is more atmospheric with police forces attacking the gangsters in their refugee with a storm of bullets and gas. I find Black Tuesday yet very interesting and we need to see a remastered print to get the ultimate opinion on one of the rarest film noir (after Incident by William Beaudine). Time will tell.
Review of Black Tuesday
