They Drive By Night (1940)

Film Noir at its finest...

Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft

If you're a fan of classic film noir like I am, then you've likely seen the 1940 crime drama They Drive by Night. If not, I highly recommend watching this movie - it's a shining example of the genre. Directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring an incredible cast including George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino, and Alan Hale Sr., this road movie is equally memorable for its fast-paced, realistic depiction of life on the trucking circuit as it is for its later descent into murder-thriller mode. The film's gripping action sequences, gritty dialogue, and captivating performances from Lupino, Bogart, and Raft make for a compelling cinematic experience. This is noir at its finest.

The Fabrini brothers are the central characters in this fast-paced film noir. In the pre-union era, the trucking industry was a notoriously tough field, with limited financial rewards and significant on-the-road dangers. The Fabrini brothers, Joe (George Raft) and Paul (Humphrey Bogart), work tirelessly as delivery-truck drivers in a desperate attempt to build their own business and pay off their truck loan to escape the clutches of a loan shark. Unlike many similar movies, neither Raft nor Bogart portrays the antagonist here.

Joe Fabrini on his truck at the service station

Lana with her husband, Ed; Joe in court; Joe, Cassie, and Paul at a diner

Tragically, one night a fatigued Paul falls asleep at the wheel, crashing the truck and losing an arm. Subsequently, Joe is offered a job by a wealthy truck company owner (Alan Hale, Sr.), whose manipulative wife Lana (Ida Lupino) becomes infatuated with Joe. Driven by her obsession, Lana murders her husband, but when Joe rejects her advances, professing his love for Cassie (Ann Sheridan), the scorned Lana frames him for the crime. The story builds to a tense courtroom sequence, which I will refrain from spoiling, so I'll end my post here. If you’re able to find this film on the platforms below, please find time to watch - I know you’ll love it!

…Jill

Where to Watch:
Right now, you can watch They Drive by Night on the Criterion Channel. You can stream They Drive by Night by renting or purchasing on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Video.

Directed by Raoul Walsh and released in August, 1940.

Cast:
George Raft………………Joe Fabrini
Humphrey Bogart…Paul Fabrini
Ann Sheridan.……Cassie Hartley
Ida Lupino.…………..Lana Carlsen
Alan Hale, Sr..………….Ed Carlsen
Gale Page……………..Pearl Fabrini

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The Flicks & Forks Recipe Choice

Pickle Poppers

Ingredients

• 12 whole baby dill pickles

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened (1/2 cup)

• 2 ounce cheddar cheese, finely shredded

• 1 - 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 12 thin slices deli ham or turkey, halved

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

   Prepare Your Pickles: Halve the pickles lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the centers. Pat dry.

2. Combine Pickle Popper Mixture

   In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Transfer cream cheese mixture to a re-sealable plastic bag. Snip the corner of the bag and pipe cream cheese mixture into the pickle halves. Wrap each pickle half with ham or turkey and secure with a toothpick, if needed. Place pickles in a foil-lined baking pan.

3. Bake and Enjoy

   Bake about 15 minutes or until heated through.

Serve on a decorative tray along with a glass of wine or beverage of your choice.

Note: You might want to consider doubling this recipe - Pickle Poppers get popped fast during tense film scenes!